India, Dec. 23 -- There was little respite for residents from the Capital's hazardous air this December, as the city has not recorded even a single day of 'moderate' air quality, while nearly 20 days so far have seen pollution levels hover in the red zone.

The 'moderate' category - marked by Air Quality Index (AQI) readings below 200 - has not been recorded at all this December. In contrast, during the same period last year, the national Capital had recorded six days of moderate air quality.

Overall, December last year saw eight days with AQI levels below 200, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed. Last December also recorded eight 'poor' air quality days, with AQI readings above 200, and six days of 'severe' readi...