Air quality in Delhi remained “very poor” on Monday, reaching an overall air quality index (AQI) of 324 at 7:00 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The air quality continued to deteriorate as it remained in the “very poor” range on Sunday too, recording a season’s highest AQI of 388. Later in the afternoon, the air quality improved marginally, but that was caused by afternoon winds.
The data showed that most monitoring stations in the capital crossed the 300 mark, with Wazirpur recording 385, Anand Vihar 364, Ashok Vihar 362, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 331, Mundka 343, Narela 386 and Rohini 363.
Several neighboring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) also reported “very poor” air quality levels, with the AQI reaching 311 in Noida, 334 in Ghaziabad and 304 in Gurugram.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI of 0–50 is classified as good, 51–100 as satisfactory, 101–200 as moderate, 201–300 as poor, 301–400 as very poor, and 401–500 as severe.
Will Delhi’s air get worse before some relief comes this week?
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) noted that the first half of November – from November 1 to 15 – was consistently the most polluted period in the capital. Data from 2018 to 2023 shows an average AQI of 371 over the two weeks, coinciding with stubble burning in neighboring states, post-festival traffic and weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground.
Experts have warned that paddy stubble burning in Punjab is expected in the coming days as farmers speed up post-harvest clearing of fields after earlier delays caused by floods and heavy rains.
Mahesh Palawat, vice-president (meteorology and climate change) at Skymet, said that while light winds briefly improved air quality during the day, they later turned to the west and northwest — directions that often carry stubble smoke from Punjab and Haryana to Delhi.
“A westerly disturbance is expected over North India between November 4-5 but is unlikely to bring rain, only light clouds. As a result, Delhi’s air quality may deteriorate further before any relief is expected,” Palawata was quoted as saying by TOI.
