Overview
- Delhi’s overall AQI stood at about 285 on Thursday morning, marking a third day in the ‘poor’ category, with at least 10 stations topping 300 in the ‘very poor’ range.
- Stronger westerlies helped drive Wednesday’s 24-hour average AQI down to 259—its lowest in over a month—with winds reported around 15–18 km/h aiding dispersion.
- The Centre’s Early Warning System projects a deterioration from December 11–13, with air quality likely to shift back to ‘very poor’ and potentially trend worse thereafter.
- Authorities announced enforcement steps including ₹5,000 fines for open garbage burning and a ban on coal and firewood in tandoors, as the Decision Support System identified vehicles as the top local source at roughly 17%.
- Air quality stress extended beyond Delhi, with Kolkata logging around 342 at Victoria Memorial, Pakistan’s Lahore ranking among the most polluted globally, and Mumbai remaining ‘poor’ overall with severe hotspots like Wadala.