Delhi Air Quality Plunges to ‘Very Poor’, Multiple Areas Hit Severe Pollution
Light rain may offer brief relief as toxic smog grips capital.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the "very poor" category on Monday, with multiple localities recording severe pollution levels, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Data from the Sameer app revealed that Bawana registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 401, while Anand Vihar reported 431—both falling in the severe range. Of the 38 monitoring stations across the city, 23 recorded AQI values exceeding 300, indicating widespread hazardous conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of very light rain toward the evening, which could provide temporary respite by settling airborne particulates. The minimum temperature was recorded at 17.3 degrees Celsius, marginally above the seasonal average by 0.1 degree, while the maximum is likely to reach 29 degrees Celsius. Humidity stood at 94 percent at 8:30 a.m., contributing to the persistence of pollutants.
On Sunday, the city's 24-hour average AQI had improved slightly to 292 by evening, down from 324 in the morning, briefly entering the "poor" category. However, the gains were short-lived. The minimum temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday marked the lowest for October in two years, compared to 15.9 degrees Celsius in 2023 and 17.4 degrees Celsius in 2022.
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According to CPCB guidelines, an AQI of 301–400 is classified as "very poor," while 401–500 is "severe," posing significant health risks, including respiratory irritation and aggravated cardiovascular conditions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with experts attributing the spike to low wind speeds, temperature inversion, and regional sources of emissions. Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and use air quality monitoring tools for real-time updates. Any precipitation, though minimal, may lower pollutant concentration temporarily, but sustained improvement requires coordinated pollution control measures.
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