A thick layer of toxic smog blanketed Delhi Saturday, with the air quality index slipping into the ‘severe’ category at 431, the worst recorded so far this year.

The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 431, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), while the Air Quality Early Warning System predicted the AQI to remain ‘severe’ Sunday as well.

Saturday recorded the worst air quality of the year so far, surpassing the earlier high of 428 recorded November 11, official data showed.

Among the Delhi-NCR cities, Delhi’s AQI was the third worst after Noida at 455 and Greater Noida at 442, reflecting severe air pollution across the region.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and

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