New Delhi: Residents woke up to another day of severe air quality on Thursday, following Wednesday's record-breaking pollution levels, which marked the worst air quality in the country. The air quality index (AQI) had plunged into the 'severe' category for the first time this season, sparking health warnings and raising concerns city-wide. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) attributed the drastic decline to an "unprecedentedly dense" fog, describing it as an "episodic event" that exacerbated the already poor air quality. The IMD has issued an 'orange alert' indicating a mainly clear sky, with dense to very dense fog expected in the morning. Smog, mist, and moderate fog are also likely in the evening and night hours. The wind speed will increase to less than 10 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon, decreasing to less than 8 kmph from the same direction in the evening and night. Smog, mist or moderate fog is likely in the evening and night, on Thursday.

Region-Wise AQI Data 1. Anand ViharAQI: Severe (473) 2. Ashok ViharAQI: Severe (471) 3. Aya NagarAQI: Severe (424) 4. BawanaAQI: Severe (456) 5. DTUAQI: Poor (395) 6. IGI AirportAQI: Severe (436) 7. ITOAQI: Severe (423) 8. Lodhi RoadAQI: Very Poor (303) 9. NarelaAQI: Severe (440) 10. RK PuramAQI: Severe (457)An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe plus".