Thick smog envelops Delhi-NCR as AQI drops to 361 in ‘very poor’ category

New Delhi: Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Wednesday morning, with reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality.

The air quality in the national capital remains in the very poor category, with the AQI reaching 361 as of 8 a.m.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI in some parts of the city is expected to reach severe levels, crossing the 400 mark. The AQI at Anand Vihar station was recorded at 399, Bawana registered an AQI of 390, Sonia Vihar’s AQI reached 388, Punjabi Bagh recorded an AQI of 382, and Rohini recorded an AQI of 376.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Delhi and the NCR are likely to experience smog and shallow fog during the night and morning hours throughout the week.

An Air Quality Index between 0 and 50 is considered good, between 51 and 100 satisfactory, between 101 and 200 moderate, between 201 and 300 poor, and between 301 and 400 very poor. An AQI between 401 and 450 is considered severe.