Overview
- Official CPCB data at 7 am put Delhi’s overall AQI at 357 in the 'very poor' category, deteriorating from 337 a day earlier.
- Several neighbourhoods breached the 'severe' threshold, including Jahangirpuri at 420, RK Puram at 407 and Dwarka Sector 8 at 403, with other sites near 400.
- The pollution surge extended across the NCR, with readings in Noida and Ghaziabad largely above 300, indicating a regional episode.
- The India Meteorological Department reported early-morning temperatures near 3–4°C, while doctors urged residents to limit outdoor activity and wear masks.
- Monitoring gaps drew scrutiny as Newslaundry’s on-site reading at Safdarjung outpaced a nearby CPCB figure, and a CREA report flagged widespread chronic pollution and missing continuous stations under NCAP.