Delhiites woke up to an overcast sky as light rain continued to lash parts of the city on Saturday. The minimum temperature settled at 12.7 degrees Celsius, six notches above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The capital woke up to a gloomy Saturday, as light to moderate rain continued in several parts of the city due to an active western disturbance. The air quality index (AQI) improved to the ‘moderate’ category on Saturday morning.

The Commission for Air Quality Management, responsible for air pollution mitigation in Delhi-NCR, stated that restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 will remain in place.

The AQI of Delhi has been continuously improving on Friday as it recorded 348 at 5 pm, 341 at 6 pm and 334 at 7 pm. According to Central Pollution Control Board the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 388 around 9 pm on December 27 which falls in the 'Very Poor' category.

BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel cars were banned in Delhi after pollution levels breached severe category last week.

Continuous rainfall since the morning has helped reduce pollution levels, leading to better air quality in Delhi

However, the commision said that the measures under stages I and II would remain in force to manage pollution levels, and prevent the situation from further deterioration.

NCR's air quality on Friday rolled back stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a dip in air pollution levels owing to continuous rains, according to an official order.