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<p class="" data-start="93" data-end="440"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Delhi&rsquo;s air quality dipped into the &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; category on Friday morning, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 305, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The areas of Wazirpur and Mundka reported alarming AQI levels of 422 and 419 respectively, placing them in the &ldquo;severe&rdquo; category.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="442" data-end="630"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">This sharp decline in air quality comes on the heels of dust-laden winds and deteriorating atmospheric conditions impacting the National Capital Region (NCR) during the pre-monsoon season.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="632" data-end="851"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Several neighboring cities in the NCR also recorded poor air quality levels. Gurugram posted an AQI of 294, Faridabad 288, Ghaziabad 283, Greater Noida 256, and Noida 289&mdash;placing them in the &ldquo;poor&rdquo; to &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; range.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="853" data-end="1158"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Within Delhi, pollution levels were critically high across various localities. Among the most affected were Anand Vihar (362), DTU (365), Dwarka Sector 8 (388), Jahangirpuri (353), Siri Fort (355), and Ashok Vihar (328). Overall, 21 monitoring stations in the city recorded AQI levels between 300 and 400.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1160" data-end="1366"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Additionally, 12 other areas, including Bawana (289), Lodhi Road (277), IGI Airport (240), Najafgarh (271), RK Puram (265), and Burari Crossing (243), registered AQI values in the &ldquo;poor&rdquo; category (200&ndash;300).</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1368" data-end="1703"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The worsening air quality is being attributed to a sudden dust surge and gusty winds that swept through the city on Wednesday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported strong winds of 30&ndash;40 km/h, particularly in the Palam area, which lifted fine dust particles into the air, further reducing air quality and visibility.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1705" data-end="1920"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">A senior IMD official noted a rapid drop in visibility from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres in less than two hours. As a result, a thick haze blanketed the city on Thursday morning, significantly affecting air clarity.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1922" data-end="2129"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Authorities have issued health advisories urging residents&mdash;especially children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues&mdash;to minimize outdoor exposure and wear protective masks when going outside.</span></p>
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Dust storms and gusty winds trigger a sharp decline in air quality across Delhi-NCR; Authorities urge vulnerable groups to stay indoors

Delhi Air Quality Plummets to 'Very Poor'; Wazirpur, Mundka Enter 'Severe' Category

Dust storms and gusty winds trigger a sharp decline in air quality across Delhi-NCR; Authorities urge vulnerable groups to stay indoors

May 16, 2025 | 09:28 IST