Air quality worsens across India, only 5% cities show AQI below 50

Hazy outlook for national capital

Air quality across the country worsened further, with just 5 percent of Indian cities showing AQI levels below 50 on November 12, compared with 13 percent a week ago, according to data released by Central Pollution Control Board.

Only 13 cities had experienced good air quality, defined by an AQI of below 50. The number of cities with satisfactory air quality (AQI between 51 and 100) also declined to 67 compared with the previous day. On the other hand, 22 percent of the cities had poor air quality.

Chandigarh and Patna had worse air quality than the national capital, which had an AQI level above 300 for the 14th consecutive day.

Delhi's average AQI was 356 in the first two weeks of November, compared with 234 in October. Mumbai’s AQI reading was also above 100 for the 13th straight day with the average AQI almost doubling to 155 in the first 12 days of November compared with October.

On November 12, Kolkata and Hyderabad both had AQI readings above 100, while Bengaluru and Chennai had AQI levels below 100.

A comparison with international cities shows that New York's AQI was below 30, better than that of 260 Indian cities, while London’s AQI, at 47, was lower than that of 250 Indian cities. Beijing’s AQI reading on November 12 at 166 was better than 90 Indian cities.