Delhi: ‘Severe’ air quality recorded in 19 of 39 monitoring stations

The Air Quality Index at 19 of the 39 monitoring stations in Delhi on Sunday recorded readings above 400, categorised as “severe”, showed the Sameer application, which provides hourly updates published by the Central Pollution Control Board, at 5.05 pm.

Despite restrictions to curb pollution, Delhi’s average AQI stood at 392, placing it at the higher end of the “very poor” category, the data showed.

An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality. As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality, while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.

Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution, while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”.

An Air Quality Index in the “severe” category signifies hazardous pollution levels that can pose serious risks even to healthy individuals.

In areas adjoining the national capital, Ghaziabad recorded the most severe pollution levels with an AQI of 438, followed by Noida, which logged 414. Greater Noida also reported “severe” air quality with an index of 401.

In Haryana, Gurugram registered an AQI of 295, placing it in the “poor” category, while Faridabad recorded an...

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