India, Nov. 21 -- Delhi's air quality hovered close to the 'severe' category on Thursday as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 391, with more than 15 monitoring stations logging readings above the 400-mark. The 24-hour average AQI settled at 391 - in the 'very poor' category for the seventh consecutive day.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI stood at 392 on Wednesday, 374 on Tuesday, and 351 on Monday.

Delhi's air quality is likely to deteriorate further, slipping into the 'severe' category in the coming days, and will remain in the 'very poor' to 'severe' range for the next six days, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Air Quality Early Warning System.

The CPCB's Sameer a...