Overview
- Citywide AQI rose sharply to 357 in the morning and reached about 373–375 by afternoon, with CPCB data showing 37 of 38 stations above 300.
- ‘Severe’ hotspots included Vivek Vihar at 426 and Anand Vihar at 415, with other areas breaching 400 as visibility dropped to 800–1,000 metres at Safdarjung and Palam.
- The ventilation index stayed below the favourable 6,000 m²/s threshold and winds remained under 10 kmph, while PM2.5 measured 184.4 and PM10 301.9.
- GRAP Stage II remains in force as NDMC doubles parking fees and CAQM restricts entry of non-BS-VI commercial goods vehicles from November 1, alongside water-sprinkling efforts.
- Cloud seeding trials did not induce rain; IIT Kanpur reported a 6–10% drop in PM2.5 and PM10 even as the Delhi environment minister termed the operation successful, and hospitals reported more patients with cough and breathlessness.