New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- A dense blanket of haze settled over the Capital on Tuesday, trapping pollutants close to the surface as wind speeds dropped sharply, sending Delhi's air quality index (AQI) hurtling from the lower end of the "very poor" category to its upper fringe.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB's) 24-hour average bulletin, the AQI rose from 304 on Monday to 372 at 4pm on Tuesday. By 10pm, it had climbed to 392 - hovering just shy of the "severe" mark.

Forecast agencies, however, signalled a potential short-term reprieve. Wind speeds are expected to strengthen on Wednesday, likely dispersing at least part of the rapidly accumulating pollution load.

Delhi's air quality is likely to be in the 'very poor' c...