A dense smog layer covered Mumbai’s Bandra area on Wednesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 354, falling into the ‘very poor’ category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective from Sunday, in response to rising pollution levels. The national capital’s AQI has hovered in the ‘poor’ category (201–300) for several days, peaking at 296 as of 4 PM Sunday, amid ongoing Diwali festivities.