Delhi’s air quality worsened significantly on Wednesday morning, reaching the "very poor" category as a thick layer of smog covered the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged from 316 on Tuesday evening to 361 on Wednesday, with several areas in the capital recording AQI levels above 300.

Aya Nagar recorded the worst air quality in the city at 417, classified as "severe," while other areas like Anand Vihar (396), Jahangirpuri (389), ITO (378), and IGI Airport (368) also reported AQI levels above 300, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 361 at 8 am on Wednesday.

Visibility across Delhi sharply decreased, with dense fog enveloping the city. Indira Gandhi International Airport reported near-zero visibility, issuing an advisory that flights not compliant with CAT III instrument landing systems may be affected. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information.

Visuals from various areas, including the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, showed the visibility plummeting to near-zero, with vehicles using fog lights.

The dense fog is attributed to high concentrations of smoke and dust particles in the atmosphere. These particles facilitate the condensation of water vapor, leading to the rapid formation of fog and significantly reducing visibility, especially at ground level.