India, Dec. 24 -- Strong surface winds offered a brief respite from severe pollution in the Capital on Wednesday morning, leading to a modest improvement in air quality. Delhi's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 342, in the 'very poor' category, at 8am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

The 24-hour average AQI was logged at 412 (severe) on Tuesday evening when Delhi's air quality plummeted to record the fourth severe air day of the month.

Forecasts by the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) also suggest that the AQI is likely to stay in the 'very poor' category throughout the day.

"The air quality is likely to be in the very poor category from Wednesday to Friday. The outlook for the subsequent six ...