The air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the ‘severe category’ on Thursday morning with a layer of toxic smog enveloping the skies in many areas. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 420 at 8 am on Thursday.

This comes after the AQI stood at 426 on Wednesday afternoon, highlighting the persisting pollution levels in the national capital.

Data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India revealed a further grim picture, with clusters of red dots on the AQI map (signifying hazardous air quality) scattered across the Indo-Gangetic plains. Key areas in the city, such as Anand Vihar, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, and ITO, reported alarming AQI levels ranging from 432 to 453.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring city of Ghaziabad recorded an overall AQI of 443 at 6 am on Thursday. The AQI in Sector-51, Gurugram, stood at 444, indicating a decline in air quality to the ‘severe’ category.

Drone footage shared by news agency ANI depicted iconic landmarks like Qutub Minar, Connaught Place and Barapullah shrouded in smog.

Watch Here:

#WATCH | Delhi air quality continues to remain in the 'severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

(Drone camera visuals from the Qutub Minar area area, shot at 8.30 am) pic.twitter.com/4t9eBkTwvI— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2023

#WATCH | Delhi air quality continues to remain in the 'severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board

(Visuals from Connaught Place, shot at 7:00 a.m. today) pic.twitter.com/4t8qnRoyY1— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2023

The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter known for its adverse health effects, surpassed the safe limit by seven to eight times, posing significant risks to public health.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Directorate of Education has ordered an advancement of the winter break for all schools in Delhi. The schools will remain closed from November 9 to November 18, allowing both students and teachers to stay home and minimise exposure to the hazardous air, reports Indian Express.

In an effort to address the crisis, Environment Minister Gopal Rai has convened an urgent meeting on Thursday to discuss the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive regarding the odd-even scheme. The scheme, which was scheduled to be enforced from November 13 to reduce vehicular pollution, is likely to be deferred till the apex court reviews its effectiveness and issues the order on its implementation.

On Tuesday, the SC questioned the effectiveness of the Delhi government's odd-even scheme and called it optics. The apex court directed the Delhi government to take more effective steps while ordering Punjab to stop stubble burning immediately.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)