Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated sharply over the past three days, even though winter has not yet arrived in the national capital. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) increased from 90 on Friday to 159 on Saturday and 187 on Sunday, more than doubling during the period, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
Delhi’s temperature has also declined after the monsoon withdrawal. The minimum temperature settled at 17.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which was 1.3 degrees below the seasonal normal, the India Meteorological Department said.
With no rainfall expected over the next week, pollution is likely to remain a concern. The AQI is expected to enter the poor category in Delhi on Monday for the first time this season.
Twenty-two monitoring stations across the city recorded poor air quality on Sunday. ITO registered the highest AQI at 430, placing it in the severe category.
Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 348 on Saturday. The levels were 227 in Mundka, 212 in Jahangirpuri, 188 in Chandni Chowk, and 187 each in Vivek Vihar and Rohini. Punjabi Bagh recorded 171, followed by Narela at 165, CRRI Mathura Road at 158 and Dwarka Sector 8 at 155.
Air quality worsens significantly in October
The deterioration has been particularly pronounced since the beginning of the month. At 5 pm on October 1, the AQI was 132 at the ITO station, 216 in Jahangirpuri and 178 in Punjabi Bagh. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 96 at the same time.
These readings indicate a substantial decline in air quality during the first 18 days of October. The sharpest recent rise followed Friday’s relatively cleaner reading.
Under the CPCB’s classification, AQI levels from 101 to 200 are considered moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor, and 401 to 500 severe.
Dry conditions and weak winds add to pollution
The immediate factors behind the worsening air include the absence of rain, reduced wind speeds and emissions from vehicles, road dust and construction activity. Rainfall and stronger winds help disperse pollutants, while their absence allows emissions to remain concentrated near the ground.
The approaching winter can further affect dispersion. Cooler temperatures, lower mixing heights and stagnant winds may trap pollutants closer to the surface, making the air quality more difficult to manage.
Government highlights improvement in annual air quality record
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Saturday that the capital had recorded 211 days of good, satisfactory and moderate air quality so far this year. He described it as the city’s best performance since 2016, excluding the COVID-affected year 2020.
With more than two months still remaining in the year, Delhi has already exceeded the total number of good-to-moderate air quality days recorded in several earlier years. The comparable figures were 200 days in 2025, 209 in 2024, 206 in 2023, 159 in 2018 and 110 in 2016.
Sirsa also said the number of days with poor, very poor and severe air quality had fallen to 79 this year, compared with 168 during the corresponding period in 2016.
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