Delhi Air Quality Stays ‘Very Poor’ At 384 As Key Locations Cross 400, Pollution Crisis Deepens

Delhi Air Quality Remains Very Poor At 384 With Multiple Areas Breaching 400 Mark, AQI Worsens Across NCR And Schools Reopen Fully

Delhiites woke up to another day of hazardous smog on Friday as the Delhi Air Quality plunged deep into the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI stood at 384, indicating dangerous pollution levels and raising serious public health concerns. With visibility reduced due to thick smog and citizens reporting breathing discomfort and eye irritation, the city remains trapped under a toxic cloud.

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Key Areas Breach 400 Mark, Enter Severe Zone

Air quality in many regions dipped into the ‘severe’ category as pollution concentrations crossed critical limits. Mundka recorded the highest pollution level at AQI 436, followed by Rohini at 432. Anand Vihar registered a suffocating AQI of 408, while Jahangirpuri stood close behind at 420. Several densely populated and high-traffic localities faced alarming readings. Punjabi Bagh reported AQI 417, RK Puram 418, Wazirpur 416, and Narela 407, confirming widespread deterioration. Popular public zones such as Chandni Chowk (408), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (401), and Burari Crossing (403) also fell into the severe bracket, leaving residents battling worsening air toxicity.

NCR Also Suffers Under Toxic Smog Blanket

The pollution crisis was not limited to Delhi alone. Noida recorded a severe AQI of 404, while Greater Noida registered 377 and Ghaziabad 350, both categorized as ‘very poor’. The grim situation across NCR reflects a regional environmental emergency where lakhs of people face hazardous air quality daily. In total, 19 out of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi reported AQI above 400, as per CPCB’s 8:00 am update.

AQI Categories Explained: What Very Poor and Severe Levels Mean

The Central Pollution Control Board classifies the Air Quality Index ranges as follows: 0–50 ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’. Exposure to AQI above 300 can trigger respiratory distress even among healthy individuals, while levels above 400 pose serious health risks, especially for children, elderly individuals, and those with asthma or lung disease. At ‘severe’ levels, prolonged outdoor exposure is unsafe and can lead to permanent respiratory damage.

Pollution Levels Worsen Despite Early Week Fluctuation

Delhi recorded an AQI of 377 on Thursday, compared with 327 on Wednesday, 352 on Tuesday, and 382 on Monday, showing fluctuating yet persistently dangerous pollution levels. The rising trend indicates that there is currently no visible relief. Meteorologists indicated that low wind speed, combined with trapped pollutants close to the surface and seasonal emissions, may worsen conditions further.

Vehicular Emissions Identified as the Biggest Contributor

According to data from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s Decision Support System, vehicular emissions accounted for 19.5% of Delhi’s pollution on Thursday. Regional contributions included Ghaziabad at 8.2% and Baghpat at 7.3%. Interestingly, stubble burning contributed only 0.7%, suggesting that local pollution sources have become dominant as winter inversion sets in.

Schools Resume Physical Classes Amid Severe Pollution

Despite the deteriorating air, schools across Delhi fully resumed physical classes on Thursday after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted the GRAP Stage-3 restrictions, which previously limited several activities. Parents expressed worry over children’s exposure to hazardous air, urging authorities to reconsider classroom functioning or provide strong protective measures such as portable air filtration systems and indoor activity shifts.

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Health Concerns Rise As No Clear Relief Expected

Doctors warn that prolonged exposure to ‘very poor’ AQI can lead to increased asthma attacks, bronchitis, fatigue, headaches, and reduced lung function. They advise wearing N95 masks outdoors, using air purifiers indoors, reducing outdoor exercise, and hydrating well to reduce irritants in the respiratory tract. Experts emphasise urgent policy-level action, saying that without strict emission control, Delhi Air Quality may worsen further in coming weeks.

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