NEW DELHI — Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category for a fourth straight day on Friday, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 389 at 8 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reported by ANI. The reading was up from 369 recorded a day earlier.

Source: ANI via Khelja

Several pockets of the capital were already in the 'severe' bracket on Friday morning. ANI reported AQI readings of 474 at both IIT Delhi and Rohini, 465 at Punjabi Bagh, 443 at RK Puram, 422 at ITO, 420 around Feroz Shah Road and 403 at India Gate, while Anand Vihar and Akshardham recorded 359, in the 'very poor' category.

Source: ANI via Khelja

389Delhi AQI at 8 am, Nov 6 (CPCB)
474Highest station readings — IIT Delhi and Rohini
18Stations in 'severe' category in Thursday 4 pm data
Nov 6–8Forecast window for 'severe' air

The Daily Jagran, also citing CPCB data, reported the same citywide figure of 389 at 8 am against 369 on Thursday, and said 18 of the capital's 59 active monitoring stations had recorded 'severe' air in Thursday's 4 pm data, with Jahangirpuri the highest at 454. Under CPCB standards, an AQI of 301–400 is 'very poor' and 401–500 is 'severe'.

Source: The Daily Jagran

The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that Delhi's air will stay 'very poor' on Friday and deteriorate to the 'severe' category from November 6 to 8, ahead of Diwali, The Daily Jagran reported. GRAP Stage-II curbs have been in force across the National Capital Region since November 2. The India Meteorological Department recorded a morning temperature of 17.8°C in Delhi on Friday, ANI said.

Source: The Daily Jagran / ANI

What happens next

If the forecast holds, Delhi enters the Diwali weekend with severe air. Watch for any escalation of GRAP curbs by the Commission for Air Quality Management as the November 6–8 window plays out.