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Air pollution hit Delhi hard on Thursday morning, with the city waking up to a blanket of thick smog and drastically reduced visibility. For many residents, Delhi’s AQI felt “unbearable” the moment they stepped out.
Early visuals from areas like Daryaganj, Chandni Chowk, and Anand Vihar showed streets disappearing behind a grey haze. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in Delhi today touched alarming levels; Daryaganj recorded 455, Anand Vihar 431, Alipur 418, while Bawana topped the list with 460.
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RK Puram, Patparganj and several East Delhi pockets also stayed deep in the ‘Severe’ category, with AQIs ranging from 423 to 444.
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Even the area around India Gate and Kartavya Path, which usually sees early-morning walkers, remained wrapped in toxic smog. The Delhi weather AQI here stood at 396, falling under the ‘Very Poor’ category.
For residents travelling to work or dropping children at school, breathing felt heavier than usual and many commuters switched back to masks.
#WATCH | Delhi | The area around India Gate and Kartavya Path is blanketed in a dense layer of toxic smog as the AQI in the area is 396 in the ‘Very Poor’ category, as claimed by the CPCB pic.x.com/FCw8XTlmF2
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2025
Why Delhi’s pollution surged today
As per CPCB norms, an AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as ‘Severe’, a range where prolonged exposure can affect even healthy individuals. Officials say the sudden spike in pollution is linked to multiple factors, such as local emissions, calm winds, and stubble burning in neighbouring states.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said recurring farm-fire incidents reflect “inadequate supervision and weak enforcement” of action plans meant to curb stubble burning this harvest season.
In its notice dated November 10, 2025, the Commission pointed out that Fatehabad district alone recorded 59 stubble-burning cases between September and November, with 28 incidents reported in just two days, i.e. November 8 and 9.
These numbers matter because, each year, smoke from Punjab and Haryana travels with northwesterly winds and worsens Delhi pollution in the October–December period.
Supreme Court steps in
Amid rising concerns, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to submit a status report on the steps taken to prevent stubble burning.
What residents should know
- AQI of 301–400: ‘Very Poor’
- AQI of 401–500: ‘Severe’
- Masks can help reduce exposure to particulate matter
- Morning walks and outdoor workouts are best avoided on ‘Severe’ AQI days
- Schools may issue advisories for children with asthma or respiratory issues
Also Read: Sirsa urges citizens to cooperate with GRAP-III restrictions to combat Delhi’s pollution
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