The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital, Delhi, was close to `severe` level on an overcast Wednesday morning while the minimum temperature settled at 25.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season`s average.

Central Pollution Control Board data showed Delhi`s AQI at 395 (`very poor`) at 9 am, just five notches short of touching `severe` level. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered `good`, 51 and 100 `satisfactory`, 101 and 200 `moderate`, 201 and 300 `poor`, 301 and 400 `very poor`, and 401 and 500 `severe`.