With the month of November starting from tomorrow, and despite a comprehensive 15-point winter action plan aimed at curbing the escalating pollution levels, Delhi's air quality remained 'very poor' for the fourth straight day on Tuesday as the overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 350, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 350 at 9 am, according to CPCB. Delhi and its surrounding areas are currently grappling with a range of air quality conditions.

In the month of October, the air quality in the national capital has been the worst in last three Octobers, partly because of a lower number of rainy days this year as compared to October in previous two years.

As per CPCB figures, the average AQI so far this month (mean of daily AQIs till October 30) is 214 as opposed to 210 in October last year and as low as 173 in 2021, which was the cleanest October on record.

The Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi previously predicted that the city's air quality would deteriorate further, with a drop in temperatures and slow wind speed primarily being the reasons, news agency PTI reported.

Delhi currently seeing 'very poor' air, the final AQI of the month is expected to be around 220, the worst in October since 2020, when an average of 266 was recorded.

NASA’s imagery data showed continued crop burning in Punjab and parts of Haryana, leading to deteriorating AQI in north India, especially in Delhi NCR.

Though the number of farm fire incidents is less this year than 2022, with around 2,500 cases reported so far.

Delhi is currently under the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).