A thick haze engulfed the national capital on Thursday morning with the air quality deteriorating to the "dangerous" category as Delhiites ignored firecrackers guidelines set by the Supreme Court, the authorities said.

According to NDTV, the morning after Diwali, Anand Vihar was among the areas in Delhi where the air quality index was recorded at an alarming 999.

The AQI around Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium touched 999 (the maximum level for the monitors) while the United States Embassy in Chanakyapuri scored 459, all under the "hazardous" category.
 
The overall Air Quality Index was recorded at 302 at 11 pm, which fell in the very poor category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The Supreme Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. It had also allowed manufacture and sale of only "green crackers", which have a low light and sound emission and less harmful chemicals.
 
The court had asked the police to ensure that banned firecrackers were not sold and said in case of any violation, the station house officer of the police station concerned would be held personally liable and it would amount to committing contempt of the court.