The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 335 at 8 am, marking a rise from Friday evening. The city woke up to a shallow layer of fog as temperatures continued to dip.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), while the overall AQI stood at 355, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 403, falling in the ‘severe’ category, while Jahangirpuri, Rohini, and Wazirpur registered AQI levels of 365, 361, and 378 respectively.

On Friday, Delhi’s overall air quality index was recorded at 311, slipping into the ‘very poor’ category after remaining in the ‘poor’ category for the past two days.

In Noida, Saturday’s AQI was recorded at 325, while in Greater Noida it stood at 304, both falling in the ‘very poor’ category. In Gurugram, the air quality was comparatively better, with an AQI of 220, placing it in the ‘poor’ category.

The CPCB defines the AQI ranges as follows: 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe.

As pollution levels remained in the ‘unhealthy’ category, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced staggered working hours for Delhi government and MCD employees, effective from November 15 to February 15.

According to an official statement, Delhi government offices would now function from 10 am to 6.30 pm and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices from 8.30 am to 5 pm, it said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in the national capital was recorded at 13.8 degrees Celsius.

The city is expected to witness a mainly clear sky with shallow fog during the morning hours. Night temperatures are likely to remain below normal by 2–5 degrees Celsius over the plains of northwest and adjoining central India during the next 6-7 days.

Source: India Today