India, Nov. 18 -- Delhi's air quality remained "very poor" for a fifth day on Tuesday, with a thick layer of smog enveloping the city in the early hours, even as the minimum temperature of 9.6degC was three degrees below normal. An average AQI of 344 at 8am was marginally lower than 351 at 4pm on Monday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. It was 377 on Sunday.

An increase in wind speed on Sunday and a reduction in stubble burning led to the marginal dip in AQI, which is forecast to remain "very poor". A haze of smoke is expected to continue to shroud Delhi until at least Thursday.

"Delhi's air quality is likely to be in the 'very poor' category from November 18 to November 20. The outlook for the subsequent six days...