It's a new month, but nothing seems new in terms of improvement in pollution levels in Delhi.

This year's pollution level during November month, compared to the month in previous years, with local emissions, stubble burning and low temperatures coming together to keep the air severely polluted.

The average AQI this November was 372, the second highest for the month from 2017 onwards, after an average of 377 recorded in 2021. This is higher than the average of 320 recorded last year, 327 in 2020, and 312 in 2019. Both 2018 and 2017 also saw relatively cleaner air in November, going by average AQI figures.

This November, there were 10 days when Delhi recorded a 24-hour average AQI in the 'severe' category (401 to 500). This included November 2, when an average AQI of 392 was recorded at 4 pm according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin, but the air quality deteriorated to the 'severe' category by 5 pm, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke measures under the 'severe' category of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). A higher number, of 11 'severe' air days, was seen in November 2021, while lower numbers were recorded from 2018 to 2020, and in 2022.