Hazardous Smog Engulfs Delhi as AQI Hits 324, Residents Advised to Stay Indoors

Delhi Engulfed in Toxic Smog as AQI Hits 324, Health Risks Remain High.

Delhi’s air quality worsened on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 324, keeping the city in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the CPCB’s Sameer app. Thick smog blanketed several parts of the capital, reducing visibility and raising health concerns.

Key areas reported alarming readings: RK Puram at 374, Wazirpur 358, Chandni Chowk 352, Punjabi Bagh 336, and Narela 330. Other prominent locations like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (329) and Burari Crossing (326) also fell under the very poor bracket.

NCR cities were similarly affected, with Noida at 333, Greater Noida 304, and Ghaziabad 318, all facing very poor air quality. Visuals from Anand Vihar showed a dense layer of smog hanging over the city, signaling a persistent pollution crisis.

For context, the CPCB classifies AQI levels as: 0-50 ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’. Over the past week, Delhi’s AQI has fluctuated significantly — 279 on November 30, 304 on December 1, 372 on December 2, 342 on December 3, and 299 on December 4.

The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts that pollution will remain in the very poor category for the next few days, advising residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to take precautions.