Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated sharply, with pollution levels crossing the 500 mark and reaching hazardous levels of over 600 in several parts of the national capital, according to real-time AQI dashboards.
The latest situation marks a significant worsening from Thursday’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 319, which had placed the city in the ‘very poor’ category.
Several neighbourhoods are now experiencing pollution levels beyond the Central Pollution Control Board’s highest AQI classification of 500.
The worsening air quality comes amid continued concerns over vehicular emissions, stubble burning in neighbouring states and unfavourable weather conditions.
Earlier projections by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology had indicated that stubble burning’s contribution could rise to 20% on Thursday.
Farm-fire data had recorded 927 incidents across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, taking the total to 9,592 between September 15 and November 10.
Weather conditions are also offering little prospect of relief, with no rainfall forecast in Delhi through November 15.
Temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged, while an approaching Western Disturbance is unlikely to bring significant improvement.
Residents face continued exposure to dangerously polluted air as the capital battles the worsening pollution crisis.
