Delhi: AQI breaches 300 mark in several areas, air quality to be very poor for 2 days

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality began to fall once again, just 2 after good air days in the national capital. On Thursday, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) in the 'poor' category, at 288, said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A thin layer of smog was visible early in the morning and this hampered movement of vehicles across the city.

According to the data released by the CPCB, the air quality in the national capital and neighbouring Noida and Ghaziabad is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category for the coming 2 days, that is till December 13.

Several air monitoring stations across Delhi reported 'poor' air at 8 am this morning. While Aya Nagar observatory recorded an AQI of 246, at Burari it was 295 and in Dwarka 289. The air quality index recorded by the Lodhi Road observatory was slightly better than these places, as it stood at 233.

In Anand Vihar and the Cantonment area, the air quality was even worse. It was recorded as 302, falling in the 'Very Poor' category. The other monitoring stations also did not fare any better, as air quality continued to remain 'Very Poor' across the city. While Ashok Vihar station recorded AQI at 332, in Bawana it was 335, the ITO Delhi monitoring station recorded AQI as 310, while at Chandni Chowk and Alipur it was 309 and 315 respectively.

The India Meteorological Department has meanwhile predicted clear skies for Thursday. However, the city may witness foggy conditions on Friday and Saturday. The minimum temperature on Thursday was 8.6 degrees Celsius, which is 1 degree below normal for this time of the year. While the maximum temperature was 24 degrees Celsius.

At 8:30 am this morning, the humidity was 91%, said the weather department.