New Delhi, May 16
Delhi’s air quality on Friday morning slipped into the “very poor” category with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 305 and Wazirpur and Mundka seeing levels soar to 422 and 419 respectively, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The decline follows a spell of dust-laden winds and worsening atmospheric conditions that have gripped the National Capital Region (NCR) pre-monsoon.
According to CPCB data, several NCR cities mirrored Delhi’s poor air quality. Gurugram registered an AQI of 294, Faridabad 288, Ghaziabad 283, Greater Noida 256, and Noida 289, all falling within the “poor” to “very poor” range.
Within Delhi itself, alarming levels of pollution were recorded in multiple localities. The worst-hit areas were Wazirpur and Mundka, where AQI levels soared to 422 and 419 respectively, entering the “severe” category. A total of 21 areas in the national Capital saw AQI readings between 300 and 400, marking widespread air quality distress.
Prominent locations like Anand Vihar (362), DTU (365), Dwarka Sector 8 (388), Jahangirpuri (353), Siri Fort (355), and Ashok Vihar (328) were among those recording critically high pollution levels.