SC tells UP, Hry to ban firecrackers

The spell of noxious pollution in Delhi worsened on Thursday, as the air plunged even deeper into the "severe" category with an air quality index (AQI) of 451 - making it the most polluted December day in three years, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

- HT Correspondents

NEW DELHI/GURUGRAM: The spell of noxious pollution in Delhi worsened on Thursday, as the air plunged even deeper into the "severe" category with an air quality index (AQI) of 451 — making it the most polluted December day in three years, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

Gurugram, meanwhile, recorded an AQI of 355 (very poor).

The last time the Capital breathed worse air in the month was on December 26, 2021, when the AQI hit 459. The most polluted December day ever was December 21, 2017, at 469.

Thursday's AQI was also the worst for the city in a month. The last higher reading was on November 19, with an AQI of 460.

The mercury in Gurugram also remained low. Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 5.6°C. The maximum temperature remained steady at 23.5°C.

Hybrid classes to continue in higher edu institutions

The Haryana government's Directorate of Higher Education on Thursday ordered "hybrid" classes at higher educational institutions in Gurugram until December 21 due to worsening pollution in the National Capital Region and the implementation of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap).