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Delhi’s air quality deteriorated on Saturday, December 27, as dense fog and dense haze engulfed the national capital, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories in many areas.
Visibility reduced during the morning hours, increasing health concerns for residents already dealing with worsening air conditions.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the city’s overall AQI was 355 at 9 am, firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. By definition, an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor’, while readings above 400 fall in the ‘severe’ category. As the day progressed, many areas breached this limit.
Also read: Delhi’s air quality improves, overall AQI falls into ‘poor’ category
Akshardham and Anand Vihar recorded AQI levels around 410, while areas like Bawana, Vivek Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Narela, Rohini and Nehru Nagar also recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels later in the day. Dhaula Kuan, a comparatively lower place, recorded an AQI of 252, which is in the ‘poor’ category.
Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI rose sharply to 332 by Friday afternoon, compared to 234 a day earlier, indicating a rapid decline. Pollution levels continued to rise throughout the day amid adverse weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said calm winds and high moisture content in the air were major contributors. Relative humidity was 100% at 8.30 am, while wind speed remained low for most of the day, limiting the spread of pollutants.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 7.8 degrees Celsius, about a degree above normal, with the maximum temperature expected to be around 22 degrees Celsius. The IMD has forecast foggy conditions and issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fog, warning that a series of western disturbances may increase pollution levels in the coming days.