Delhi air quality: Capital city slips back into hazardous category, re-enters 'severe' zone with Saturday AQI at 420

New Delhi: Delhi residents woke up to hazardous air quality once more on Saturday morning. The overall air quality index (AQI) reached 420, placing the city firmly in the 'severe' category. This concerning dip follows a brief respite from the hazardous air pollution that has plagued the capital for weeks.

Nine out of the 38 air quality monitoring stations reported AQI levels exceeding 450, categorized as 'severe plus'. An additional nineteen stations recorded 'severe' air quality, with AQI readings ranging from 400 to 450. The remaining stations reported 'very poor' air quality.

This recent decline in air quality follows a brief improvement on Thursday, attributed to favourable wind conditions. However, by Friday, the air quality began deteriorating, nearing the 'severe' category. The minimum temperature recorded on Saturday morning was 11.4 degrees Celsius, with a humidity level of 97% at 8:30 am.


Delhi's battle with hazardous air quality has persisted for over 20 days. The city's AQI first slipped into the 'very poor' category on October 30th and remained there for 15 days. The situation worsened on Sunday, with the air quality reaching the 'severe' category and persisting through Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, the air quality had deteriorated further, reaching the 'severe plus' category.