Delhi Air Quality Drops to Severe Category as Pollution Index Hits 403

Delhi woke up to a severe layer of smog on Friday as the city's overall air quality dropped sharply into the severe category. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index reached 403 at 9 a.m. on November 13, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

Regional Impact

The poor air quality is not limited to the capital. Ballabgarh in neighbouring Haryana also recorded severe air pollution levels on Friday morning. Meanwhile, nearby cities and towns across north India including Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad experienced very poor air conditions. Government forecasting models suggest Delhi's air quality will likely stay in the severe range through Friday night. A day earlier on Thursday at 4 p.m., the city's average AQI stood at 350 in the very poor category, worsening from 313 recorded a day prior.

Context

Severe air pollution levels severely impact people with existing health conditions and pose risks to healthy individuals as well. Winter pollution spikes across Delhi and the wider northern plains typically happen due to slow wind speeds, dropping temperatures, stubble burning, festive firecrackers, and local vehicle and dust emissions.