A thick blanket of poisonous smog spread across Delhi, the air quality remains very poor.

Delhi woke up to a thick layer of toxic smog on Monday (December 8) morning, with air quality recorded from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ at several key locations, according to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The air quality index (AQI) in Akshardham reached 354, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. A similar situation was seen in Anand Vihar, where the AQI also stood at 354, indicating severely poor air quality.

The situation around India Gate and duty path was a little better, though still worrying. The area recorded an AQI of 294, categorized as ‘poor’, with visibility reduced due to persistent haze layer.

At ITO, the AQI stood in the ‘very poor’ category at 354, indicating widespread pollution affecting the capital.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0 and 50 is categorized as “good”, between 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, between 101 and 200 as “moderate”, between 201 and 300 as “poor”, between 301 and 400 as “very poor” and between 401 and 500 as “severe”.

Delhi’s air quality has reached “poor” and “very poor” levels since last week. The AQI in the city was 279 last Sunday (November 30), 304 on Monday (December 1), 372 on Tuesday (December 2), 342 on Wednesday (December 3), 304 on Thursday (December 4), 327 on Friday (December 5), 330 on Saturday (December 6) and 308 on Sunday (December 7).

Dense fog and hazardous air quality levels are raising health concerns, especially for children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems.