New Delhi, Nov 3 — Delhi-NCR woke up under a thick layer of smog on Tuesday, with the city's air quality stuck in the 'very poor' category for a second straight morning just days ahead of Diwali. Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 330 at 8 a.m., according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported by IANS, while eight monitoring stations recorded readings above 400, which falls in the 'severe' category.

Source: IANS

Jahangirpuri in north Delhi recorded the worst air in the capital at 451, deep in the 'severe' zone. Rohini registered 431 and Punjabi Bagh 424, while DTU and Bawana recorded 409 each, CPCB data showed. Other stations were not far behind: Mundka at 397, Pusa at 387, Delhi University's North Campus at 384, Burari Crossing at 383, Chandni Chowk at 354, the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 350 and the Commonwealth Sports Complex at 349. In Noida, the city reading stood at 307, also 'very poor', according to CPCB-based reporting by INVC News.

330Delhi average AQI at 8 a.m. on Tuesday (CPCB)
451Jahangirpuri AQI — the capital's worst, 'severe'
8Monitoring stations above 400, in the 'severe' zone
307Noida AQI, also in the 'very poor' category

A step worse than Monday, when GRAP-II was imposed

Tuesday's readings continue a slide that began on Monday, when Delhi recorded its first 'very poor' AQI of the season — 312 at 9 a.m., rising to 324 by 4 p.m. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) responded on Monday by invoking Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, and the index climbed further to 330–331 by Tuesday morning despite the curbs. Under the CPCB's national classification, an AQI of 301–400 is 'very poor' and 401–500 is 'severe'.

Seasonal farm fires remain one contributor among several, alongside vehicle emissions, road dust, construction and industry. Satellite observations cited in INVC's reporting detected 1,561 farm fires in Punjab and Haryana between October 1 and November 2, including 167 on November 2. The IITM's Delhi Air Quality Early Warning System has indicated that the capital's air is likely to stay in the 'very poor' category from November 3 to 5, with a possibility of gradual improvement afterwards — which would still leave Delhi breathing difficult air in the run-up to Diwali on November 8.

Source: INVC News

What the numbers mean

On the CPCB scale, 0–50 is 'good', 51–100 'satisfactory', 101–200 'moderate', 201–300 'poor', 301–400 'very poor' and 401–500 'severe'. At Tuesday's levels, even healthy people are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and those with respiratory or heart conditions face a higher risk.