Top 8 Metro cities AQI today: Delhi logs worst air quality; Chennai leads with ‘good’ AQI

As winter approaches, the air quality index in most metropolitan cities is witnessing a sharp rise, especially, Delhi and adjoining NCR cities. Out of the eight total metropolitan cities, four recorded an AQI above 100, in the ‘moderate’ category.

Delhi on Friday recorded an AQI of 314 at 9.30 am, slipping into the ‘very poor’ category just a few days before Diwali. Several areas in Delhi recorded an AQI of over 370, with the air quality likely to worsen in a few days as wind speeds slow down amid the winter chill.

Meanwhile, other metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai recorded an AQI of under 100, in moderate to good category. Mumbai saw a significant improvement in its air quality on Friday, after five consecutive days of the AQI being above 100.

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AQI in metropolitan cities at 9.30 am on Friday.

The AQI reading is categorised as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately Polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500). Thus, higher the AQI reading, the unhealthier it gets to breathe.

With the AQI constantly rising, Delhi-NCR residents are advised to wear masks and stay indoors as much as possible to avoid breathing in the toxic air. Health experts also advise to avoid outdoor walking, jogging, or exercising due to the presence of pollutants in the air.