Delhi: City air continues to worsen as AQI nears 400-mark

The air quality continued its relentless deterioration in Delhi on Wednesday, with the air quality index (AQI) climbing to 377, deep in the “very poor” category, as a choking haze engulfed the Capital days before Diwali fireworks are expected to add to the pollution burden.

To make matters worse, forecasts by the Air Quality Early Warning System indicate the situation is expected to worsen further. It states that Delhi could enter the “severe” category – the worst on the AQI scale – on November 6 and 7, just as firecracker bursting begins. The air is then likely to remain severe for nearly a week.

Delhi's AQI crosses 300 for first time this season, more smog expected in coming daysDelhi's air quality deteriorates for fifth straight dayWednesday marked the fifth consecutive day of deterioration, underlining how rapidly Delhi has slipped from relatively clean conditions to a pollution crisis.

On Friday, the city recorded an AQI of 60, in the “satisfactory” category, following rain and strong winds. But the respite was short-lived. The AQI rose to 117 on Saturday, deteriorated by 144 points to 261 on Sunday, and climbed another 63 points to 324 on Monday.

It rose further to 350 on Tuesday before reaching 377 on Wednesday.