Delhi AQI today: Smog blankets city, visibility impacted due to pollution

Delhiites woke up to smog on Friday morning as the air quality of the national capital continued to remain in the 'very poor category'.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 383 as of 8 am today, categorised as 'very poor', according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, marking the eighth consecutive day that Delhi is blanketed with smog post-Diwali.

AQI readings categorize air quality as "poor" at 200-300, "very poor" at 301-400, "severe" at 401-450, and "severe plus" above 450.


Visibility at Tilak Marg in Delhi deteriorated due to smog as the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 349, per CPCB data. SAFAR reported even worse AQI in nearby areas: Bawana (440), Mundka (428), Rohini (439), and more, with all locations hitting "very poor" to "severe" levels, raising health concerns.

Moreover, visibility at Akshardham Temple worsened today morning as the AQI in the surrounding areas fell to 415, according to the CPCB.


Meanwhile, the minimum temperature dropped to 18.1 degrees Celsius, 3.8 degrees above normal, and humidity levels stood at 96 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department, as of 8.30 AM.


Meanwhile, on Chhath Puja's last day, devotees gathered at Yamuna Ghat in Kalindi Kunj to offer prayers amid thick toxic foam on the river, videos show.

Thursday, the third day of Chhath Puja, saw devotees offering 'Arghya' to the setting Sun while standing in the water of toxic foam-laden Yamuna River, in Kalindi Kunj. People were seen taking 'holy' dips, too.


Concerns over pollution led the Delhi High Court to reject a petition allowing Chhath rituals at the Yamuna, citing health risks due to contamination. The court pointed out the availability of 1,000 alternative sites for the festival.

The bench, led by Chief Justice of Delhi, referred to a recent case, where an individual fell ill after taking a dip in the polluted water and was hospitalized, stressing on the dangers posed if performing the puja in the river was allowed.

In response to escalating pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai met with officials to discuss solutions and urged North Indian states to collaborate, while criticizing neighboring BJP-led states for politicizing the issue.