A thick layer of smog engulfed Delhi-NCR on Sunday morning, pushing air quality levels deep into the &lsquo;very poor&rsquo; and &lsquo;severe&rsquo; categories. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the region stood at 361, marking one of the worst pollution levels of the season.
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Data showed that 24 out of 39 monitoring stations recorded AQI readings above 400 &mdash; a threshold indicating &lsquo;severe&rsquo; air pollution. The most affected areas included Rohini (435), Nehru Nagar (426), Bawana (426), RK Puram (422), and ITO (420). Wazirpur and Bawana each logged an AQI of 424, while Vivek Vihar reported 415.
The overall AQI averages were alarming across the region: Delhi (391), Noida (391), Greater Noida (366), Ghaziabad (387), and Gurugram (252).
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CPCB data from Saturday had already ranked Delhi as the most polluted city in the country, with neighbouring NCR cities&mdash;Noida (354), Greater Noida (336), and Ghaziabad (339)&mdash;recording similarly hazardous levels.
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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature is expected to hover around 13&deg;C over the next week. The combination of cool morning and evening winds is adding to the winter chill, while the absence of rainfall is likely to keep the atmosphere foggy and dense.
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Experts attribute the worsening pollution to dropping temperatures and reduced wind speeds, which trap pollutants close to the ground. The fusion of fog and smog has thickened the haze over the city. Vehicular emissions and ongoing construction activities remain major contributors to the crisis.
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Health officials have issued advisories urging residents to minimize outdoor exposure, particularly during early mornings and late evenings. They also recommend wearing protective masks and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity, as prolonged exposure to the current air quality levels can heighten the risk of respiratory and cardiac ailments, especially among children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
&mdash;IANS&nbsp;

Dense smog covers Delhi roads and skyline

Thick smog grips Delhi-NCR; several areas record ‘severe’ air pollution levels.

Smog Chokes Delhi-NCR as AQI Crosses 400

Thick smog grips Delhi-NCR; several areas record ‘severe’ air pollution levels.

November 9, 2025 | 15:53 IST