Worst AQI in India: Delhi leads, NCR follows close

Several parts of North India were covered in a thick haze on November 8, particularly Delhi-NCR and its surrounding regions. Many locations reported 'poor' to 'very poor' Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 

CPCB states that air quality is "good" when the AQI falls between 0-50, and gets "severe" when it crosses the 400 mark. Readings from the 10 locations of India showed AQI far ahead of the same limits, underlining widespread pollution stress in Delhi and states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. 

Health experts have been warning residents, particularly the children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to avoid outdoor exposure as much as possible. 

The Delhi Government and the Delhi Municipal Corporation have revised office timings in the national capital due to the worsening pollution levels. 

Which cities recorded the worst AQI in India today? 

The top 10 cities in India, with the worst AQI, are in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. These include: 

• Delhi, yet again, led the pollution charts in India today, recording an AQI of 373 by 8 am on Saturday. It was closely followed by Mundka at 363, both in the "very poor" category, which is a threat to even the healthiest of individuals. 

• Anand Vihar, another pollution hotspot in the national capital, was among the worst, with a 352 AQI, as per the CPCB. 

• The Vasundhara area in Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 353, also being one of the most polluted locations today. 

• The fourth location is Noida's Sector 62 at 309 AQI. 

• Hapur's Huda sector in Uttar Pradesh followed at 280.

• Baghpat's Sardar Patel Inter College area stands among the worst-hit pollution regions. This reveals the situation of persistent pollution levels across Western Uttar Pradesh. 

• Apart from the NCR and Uttar Pradesh, Haryana's Panipat recorded an extremely degraded air, with its Sector 18 registering an AQI of 310. 

• Police Line Area in Jind logged an AQI of 294. 

• The Huda sector in Fatehabad recorded an AQI of 292, which indicates poor pollution levels in Haryana. 

• Panchkula Sector 6 reported an AQI of 268. 

• Sirsa's F block fell in the category of "poor", with an AQI of 225.