Delhi Air Quality Slips to 'Very Poor' Category with AQI at 353

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality further deteriorated on Sunday as winter approaches, with Diwali around the corner, worsening the already hazardous conditions. The pollution levels have led to severe health risks, including breathing difficulties, as the AQI slipped into the 'very poor' category. 

In Akshardham, the AQI surged to 353, also classified as 'very poor'.

Smog has settled over various parts of the city on Saturday morning, pushing air quality into the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories at an alarming rate over the past few days.

A layer of fog also engulfed Nehru Park and surrounding areas as the AQI dropped to 254, which is categorised as 'Poor' 

A delhi resident said that, "The weather is cold in Delhi and pollution has increased, people should wear masks as the pollution has increased in Delhi..."  

The AQI at Anand Vihar area of Delhi has dropped to 454 recorded at 8:30 am, putting it under the 'Severe' category. Meanwhile, the AQI at Dwarka, sector-8, has fallen to 311 at 8:30 am, marked under the 'Very Poor' category.

The AQI at ITO in the national capital stood at 232 at 8:30 am, marked under the 'Poor' category. Jahangirpuri has recorded AQI at the mark of 350 at 8:30 am, putting it under the 'Very Poor' category.   

AQI, when under the 'Poor' category, can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure, whereas, when under the 'Very Poor' category, it can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
With the rise in pollution level, toxic foam has been evidently visible on the Yamuna River in the Kalindi Kunj area of Delhi for the last few days.