Delhi’s AQI Hits 384; Nineteen Monitoring Stations Show ‘Severe’ Pollution Levels

Delhi recorded a sharp deterioration in air quality on Friday morning, with the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 384 by 8:00 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Nineteen of the capital’s 39 monitoring stations reported AQI readings above 400, entering the hazardous ‘severe’ zone. Mundka registered the worst pollution level at 436, followed closely by Rohini (432), Jahangirpuri (420), Punjabi Bagh (417), and RK Puram (418).

Several prominent areas also fell deep into the ‘severe’ category, including Anand Vihar (408), Wazirpur (416), Narela (407), Chandni Chowk (408), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (401), and Burari Crossing (403). The surge marks a significant worsening from Thursday’s 24-hour average AQI of 377, which itself had risen from 327 on Wednesday, indicating a consistent upward trend over the past week.

Neighboring cities in the National Capital Region faced equally grim conditions. Noida recorded a ‘severe’ AQI of 404, while Greater Noida and Ghaziabad reported ‘very poor’ readings of 377 and 350, respectively. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s Decision Support System, vehicular emissions remained the largest single contributor to Delhi’s PM2.5 load on Thursday at 19.5 percent, followed by contributions from Ghaziabad (8.2 percent) and Baghpat (7.3 percent); stubble burning accounted for only 0.7 percent.

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The latest spike comes just days after authorities lifted Stage-3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). On Thursday, the Commission for Air Quality Management revoked curbs on construction, demolition activities, and entry of older vehicles, citing temporary improvement. Schools across Delhi immediately resumed full in-person classes, ending hybrid learning that had been enforced earlier in November.

Health officials have renewed warnings for vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions—to avoid outdoor activities and use N95 masks. With meteorological forecasts predicting calm winds and further temperature drops in the coming days, experts fear a prolonged spell of severe pollution unless stricter measures are reimposed swiftly.

As Delhi heads deeper into winter, when temperature inversion typically traps pollutants near the surface, pressure is mounting on both central and state authorities to recalibrate anti-pollution strategies and prevent a repeat of past years’ prolonged air-quality crises.

Also Read: SAFAR Monitoring Shows Delhi Air Quality in “Very Poor” Category Until Nov 28