Several areas across the capital recorded unacceptably high Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, with Anand Vihar among the worst-hit.
The CPCB classifies AQI levels between 401 and 500 as severe, warning of significant health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with asthma or other respiratory ailments.
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The combination of poor air quality and dense fog also disrupted transport services. Several trains were delayed at the New Delhi railway station, while low visibility led to flight delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Airport authorities issued an advisory urging passengers to check flight status with airlines before travelling and to factor in extra time for their commute.
Out of the 38 active air quality monitoring stations in the city, from a total of 40, only 11 stations recorded air quality levels below 400.
Among the worst-affected areas were Anand Vihar, which recorded an AQI of 456, Vivek Nagar at 458, Chandni Chowk at 423, and Wazirpur at 443.
As per CPCB classification, an AQI between 51 and 100 is considered ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and readings above 400 fall in the ‘severe’ category.