Delhi's air quality has worsened significantly, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching alarming levels. As of today, the AQI in the national capital hit 387, a sharp increase from 218 just a day earlier, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The worst affected areas include Wazirpur and RK Puram, which recorded AQI levels of 432 and 425, respectively, placing them in the 'severe' category. Other areas with high pollution levels include Bawana (410), Rohini (409), and Dwarka (401).

The CPCB reported that 18 out of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI levels above 400, indicating severe air quality. Notable hotspots include Siri Fort, Punjabi Bagh, and Nehru Nagar. The air quality in surrounding cities is also concerning, with Gurugram at 365, Noida at 362, and Ghaziabad at 354, all falling into the 'very poor' category. In Haryana's Dharuhera, the AQI reached 440, categorizing it as severe.

The CPCB classifies AQI levels as follows: 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor', 301-400 is 'very poor', and 401-500 is 'severe'.

In terms of weather, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 30.5°C, which is three degrees below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature was 19.4°C, slightly above normal. The humidity level was noted at 73% in the evening. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast shallow fog for Sunday morning, with temperatures expected to range between 31°C and 18°C.

To combat the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government has implemented a ban on older commercial and diesel vehicles from other states. This includes trucks and BS-III or older diesel vehicles, which are now prohibited from entering the city. The Transport Department and Traffic Police have deployed 23 inspection teams at key entry points to enforce this rule.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the government is closely monitoring 13 pollution hotspots across the city and is installing permanent water sprinklers in these areas to help mitigate pollution.

As the air quality remains a pressing issue, authorities are taking measures to address the situation, including the doubling of parking fees in the capital to discourage the use of private vehicles. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also banned the entry of all BS-III and below standard commercial vehicles not registered in Delhi since November 1.

With air quality expected to remain in the 'very poor' category until at least November 4, residents are urged to take precautions and limit outdoor activities.