Delhi faces worst pollution in India, Jaipur ranks second; Aizawl, Guwahati least affected

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delhi was covered by a thick layer of smog on Thursday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching 379 at 7 am, placing it in the "very poor" category. This follows a "severe" AQI reading on Wednesday, though there was a slight improvement on Thursday. As winter intensifies, air quality in major cities across India has remained concerning, with many cities experiencing "poor" and "moderate" air quality, raising health concerns for residents.

On Thursday morning, five major cities recorded "poor" air quality, while eight cities fell into the "moderate" category. Only one city was rated as "satisfactory," and just two cities had "good" air quality, based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi recorded the highest pollution levels in the country, followed by Jaipur and Chandigarh, which had AQI readings of 235 and 233, both in the "poor" range.

In contrast, Aizawl and Guwahati were the cities with the lowest pollution levels, registering AQI readings of 32 and 42, respectively, indicating "good" air quality. While Delhi and other major cities continue to face air pollution challenges, the data highlights the regional disparities in air quality across India. The ongoing pollution levels, particularly in northern and central regions, pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.