The national capital’s air quality improved to the very poor category on Friday after briefly touching the severe zone in the morning with thick, grey haze shrouding the city's sky even as no improvement was expected over the weekend with forecasts showing no significant change in meteorological conditions. A 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 372 (very poor) was recorded at 4 pm on Friday.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed most regions in the city having an air quality index (AQI) of above 400. AQI was recorded 509 in Patparganj, 473 in Anand Vihar, 450 in Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, 442 in US Embassy, 443 in Okhla,438 in Vivek Vihar, 431 in RK Puram, 424 Sriniwaspuri, 398 in Jehangirpuri, 396 in Shahdara, 408 , 411 in Punjabi Bagh and 423 in Wazirpur . The minimum temperature of 13.3°C on Friday was three degrees above normal. It was 12.6°C on Thursday.
The national capital region saw a very polluted month this November, with no improvement from Novembers over the last few years.The average AQI in November was 372.The average AQI this November was 372, the second highest for the month from 2017 onwards, after an average of 377 recorded in 2021. This is higher than the average of 320 recorded last year, 327 in 2020, and 312 in 2019. Both 2018 and 2017 also saw relatively cleaner air in November, going by average AQI figures.
The air quality in Delhi showed marginal improvement following heavy rain last Sunday (November 26). However, on Thursday, the AQI dropped to the 'very poor' category after being in the 'poor' category the previous day, according to CPCB's 24-hour average data.