Delhi's air quality deteriorated further on Friday, with the city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index climbing to 389 in the very poor category, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Several neighborhoods slipped into the severe range above 400, including readings of 474 at both IIT Delhi and Rohini.

Punjabi Bagh recorded 465, while RK Puram hit 443, ITO reached 422, and areas near India Gate stood at 403. Other stations such as Anand Vihar and Akshardham remained in the very poor zone at 359. The overall figure marked an increase from 367 the previous day.

Authorities responded by deploying truck-mounted water sprinklers near India Gate under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan to control dust. The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that conditions could turn severe across the city for the next three days.

Stubble burning from surrounding agricultural regions contributed an estimated 15.6 percent of PM2.5 pollution on Thursday, with projections showing a rise to 19.2 percent on Friday. Vehicular emissions and construction dust added to the buildup amid calm winds that trapped pollutants.

The worsening air quality has affected neighboring areas including Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad, all reporting very poor levels. Health impacts are expected to intensify for sensitive groups as Diwali approaches later this month.