Delhi air turns severe as AQI hits 402, thick smoke covers city, reduces visibility

Delhi's air quality plunged back into the 'severe' category on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 402 as a thick blanket of smog engulfed the national capital, severely reducing visibility.Out of the 58 monitoring stations, 33 recorded 'severe' air quality, with several locations reporting AQI levels well above 450, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.IIT Delhi recorded the highest AQI at 487, followed by Chandni Chowk and North Campus at 476 each. Pusa recorded an AQI of 468, while Jaffarpur registered 461.Other areas also reported alarmingly high pollution levels. Mathura Road recorded an AQI of 455, while ITO and Burari Crossing registered 453 each. JNU recorded an AQI of 451, while Aya Nagar reported 433. The India Meteorological Department has forecast that Delhi's AQI is likely to remain between the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories until November 16, with improved wind conditions potentially bringing some relief thereafter.In the National Capital Region (NCR), air quality was slightly better than in Delhi. As of 5 am, Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 377, followed by Noida at 369 and Gurugram at 349. The sharp deterioration comes a day after Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category, following a short-lived respite from worsening pollution. The national capital recorded an average AQI of 323 on Thursday.Delhi has been battling worsening pollution levels since Diwali, with stubble burning in neighbouring states contributing to the deterioration in air quality. Weather conditions, too, are unlikely to provide much respite in the coming days.The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures are likely to hover between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius until November 15.On Thursday, the maximum temperature settled at 28 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was recorded at 16.5 degrees Celsius.For Friday and Saturday, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures likely to remain between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.Meanwhile, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has stepped up enforcement of pollution-control measures amid deteriorating air quality across the NCR.District Magistrate Medha Roopam has directed officials to strictly enforce the ban on construction and demolition activities under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), warning of action against violators.The directions were issued during a virtual review meeting to assess compliance with restrictions imposed after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked GRAP-III in Delhi-NCR.According to a statement issued by the district administration, officials have been asked to conduct regular inspections and ensure strict implementation of the restrictions- Ends(With PTI inputs)