Air Quality Index

Overall AQI in Delhi on Thursday morning was 312, with several pollution hotspots; IMD has forecast rain this week which could wash away pollutants and provide temporary relief to residents

The Supreme Court told Delhi government and NCR agencies to act without delay on CAQM's long-term air pollution plan and submit clear timelines for compliance

Delhi's air quality showed marginal improvement on Wednesday but remained in the 'very poor' category, with AQI at 339. Forecasts suggest little relief as pollution levels are expected to persist

Despite a slight improvement on Tuesday, Delhi is witnessing its worst January air quality in five years, with Grap Stage IV restrictions continuing amid unfavourable weather and dense fog

Delhi's air quality remained in the severe category on Monday, with several areas recording AQI above 400 as fog and cold wave continue to blanket the capital

Delhi's air quality deteriorated to severe levels with AQI nearing 500. Stage-IV Grap curbs reinstated as residents are urged to limit outdoor exposure amid dense fog and winter chill

Air pollution is considered a reason for respiratory and cardiac problems. However, experts warn that it also increases the risk of eye infection and aggravates existing issues among those with ocular problems. Doctors hold fine particulates -- PM2.5 -- the main culprit for eye problems such as allergic conjunctivitis, scratches on the surface of the eyes, dryness, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. "Every winter, my clinic sees a rise in the number of people complaining of red, itchy, watery, and burning eyes. The main reason is high air pollution, especially fine particles known as PM2.5," said Dr Ajay Sharma, co-founder of Eye Q Eye Hospital. PM2.5 includes tiny particulates from vehicle smoke, dust, burning waste, and firecrackers, he said, adding that these particles are so small that they easily enter the eyes and settle on the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye. Solid particles irritate and scratch the eye's surface, while liquid particles carry chemic

Several areas in Delhi slipped into severe levels; Grap Stage III has been enforced as cold wave and dense fog disrupt daily life

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas or CAQM on Friday invoked GRAP curbs after the air quality showed an increasing trend, according to officials. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi, which was 343 at 4 PM on Thursday, rose to 354 at 4 PM on Friday, the officials said. "Further, forecasts for weather ad meteorological conditions by the IMD/IITM indicate that due to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants, Delhi's average AQI is likely to breach the 400-mark and enter the severe' category in the coming days," a senior official said. "Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, AQI forecasts and to prevent further deterioration, the CAQM sub-committee on GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) today took the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of extant GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR as a proactive measure," the official

The national capital continued to breathe very poor air as pollution levels stayed high; a cold wave and widespread fog reduced visibility and added to travel disruptions across the region

Delhi's air quality stayed above 350 amid the cold wave, raising health concerns as dense fog disrupted travel and temperatures remained well below normal

Unfavourable winter conditions and weak winds prevented dispersion of pollutants, keeping Delhi's air quality in the 'very poor' category

Delhi's air quality worsened to the 'very poor' category as temperatures fell to near-freezing levels, with the IMD issuing a cold wave alert and pollution levels crossing 300 at several monitoring st

Delhi battles very poor air quality with dense fog as minimum temperature falls below 4 degrees Celsius, raising health concerns for residents across the city

Delhi reels under hazardous air quality as dense fog and cold wave conditions persist, reducing visibility, delaying flights and compounding daily hardships for residents across the city

Fog and cold grip the capital as overall AQI stays in the very poor range at 363 early on Saturday, with multiple hotspots recording dangerous pollution levels despite recent rain

Foreign cricket teams refusing to play in North India could spur government to act

Delhi's overall AQI climbed to 325 at 8 am, with Anand Vihar and Nehru Nagar among the worst-polluted sites; 27 of 39 stations record air quality in the 'very poor' category

Delhi continued to reel under bone-chilling cold wave conditions for the third day as daytime temperatures dropped sharply and air quality stayed poor, with the IMD warning of more cold days ahead

Delhi's AQI neared 300 as dense fog and smog reduced visibility. Low winds and cold conditions worsened pollution, while IMD forecast continued cold day conditions