India, Oct. 12 -- Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday, with the 24-hour average air quality index touching 199 - just one point shy of the "poor" category - as the Capital enters the pre-winter pollution season marked by stagnant winds and temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the ground.

The Air Quality Early Warning System forecast further deterioration, predicting poor air quality from Sunday through the week ahead, with conditions expected to worsen as Diwali approaches the next weekend.

Saturday's AQI of 199 marked a significant jump from 170 on Friday and 100 the previous day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's daily bulletin.

The sharp rise reflects typical meteorological patterns for ...