LUCKNOW, Nov. 26 -- With an air quality index (AQI) of 389, Hapur was the most polluted city in the country for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. A day ago, Hapur's AQI fared worse at 416, and it was the only city in the country to fall under the 'severe' category in the Central Pollution Control Board's 4 pm bulletin. According to CPCB norms, AQI between 201-300 is categorised as 'poor', 301-400 as 'very poor', and values above 400 fall under the 'severe' category. Officials attributed the rising pollution levels to a mix of meteorological and anthropogenic factors. "With winter setting in, the dispersal of suspended dust and PM2.5 has slowed, raising pollution levels," said JK Maurya, regional officer, UPPCB. "Reduced wind speed, increased vehicular traffic, and biomass burning in neighbouring districts have further contributed to the spike," he said. htc...