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Thick haze covered large parts of northern India, with Delhi-NCR and neighbouring regions recording “poor” to “very poor” air quality, according to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Many pockets registered AQI levels far above safe limits, as air pollution becomes severe across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The CPCB categorises air quality as “good” when AQI is between 0–50, and “severe” when it exceeds 400. Friday’s readings placed all key northern urban centres in the danger zone, prompting health advisories, administrative responses and widespread concern. Health experts advised children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure. In Delhi, the worsening pollution led the government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to revise office timings. Top 10 Worst AQI Locations Today 1. Delhi (ITO) – 373 Delhi once again topped the pollution chart, with ITO recording an AQI of 373, firmly in the “very poor” category. Mundka trailed close behind at 363 while Anand Vihar posted 352- levels that can negatively impact even healthy individuals. 2. Ghaziabad (Vasundhara) – 353 Vasundhara remained among the most polluted pockets in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting persistent smog across the western belt. 3. Delhi (Mundka) – 363 One of Delhi’s consistent hotspots, Mundka continued to register dangerous pollution levels. 4. Panipat, Haryana (Sector 18) – 310 Panipat reported some of Haryana’s worst figures, with AQI entering the “very poor” category. 5. Noida (Sector 62) – 309 Noida’s commercial hub again found itself among the regions with severely degraded air. 6. Hapur, Uttar Pradesh (HUDA Sector) – 280 Air quality in Hapur remained well above permissible levels. 7. Jind, Haryana (Police Line) – 294 Jind’s figures reflected deteriorating air conditions across Haryana. 8. Fatehabad, Haryana (HUDA Sector) – 292 Fatehabad also showed significant pollution stress. 9. Panchkula, Haryana (Sector 6) – 268 Panchkula recorded “poor” air quality, highlighting the spread of smog beyond the core NCR region. 10. Sirsa, Haryana (F Block) – 225 Though relatively lower than other hotspots, Sirsa still fell in the “poor” category. Widespread Smog Across NCR Across Delhi-NCR, commuters navigated dense smog with visibility reduced and pollutant levels remaining stubbornly high. Western Uttar Pradesh and large parts of Haryana also remained engulfed, indicating that pollution concerns are no longer confined to the national capital alone. As winter conditions settle in and wind speeds drop, air quality officials expect pollution to remain elevated in the coming days.
