The air quality in New Delhi worsened to the 'severe plus' category with the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 400 in most places in the national capital.
The AQI was highest in Najafgarh at 748, while Dwarka recorded 705, and Gurugram saw an AQI of 714. An AQI between 401 and 500 is considered "severe" and anything beyond 500 is "severe-plus emergency".
The areas around Lutyens' Delhi saw a lower AQI comparatively, however, it remained under the 'severe plus' category. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium saw an AQI of 418, while Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, near India Gate, recorded 481 and it was 592 at the US Embassy in Chanakyapuri.
Here's a picture from "The World Air Quality Index Project Team" showing the AQI in different parts of the national capital:
The city's 24-hour Air Quality Index at 4 pm stood at 441, in the severe category. On Saturday, the capital's AQI was 417.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a severe AQI poses risks to healthy individuals and severely impacts those with pre-existing health conditions.
Apart from Delhi, four other cities in the country recorded the AQI in the severe category. Bahadurgarh in Haryana topped the list with an AQI of 445, followed by Delhi at 441, Bhiwani in Haryana at 415 and Bikaner in Rajasthan at 404.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plus.