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Delhi’s Jahangirpuri recorded the worst air quality among the monitoring stations, with an AQI of 463.
Delhi Chokes On Diwali: AQI Rises To 376, Jahangirpuri Records 463. File pic/PTI
Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 376 as a thick layer of smog covered the national capital and reduced visibility. Pollution levels are expected to worsen after Diwali celebrations, with the air quality forecast to enter the ‘severe’ category from Monday.
The city’s average AQI rose from 369 on Saturday to 376 on Sunday, bringing it closer to the ‘severe’ threshold of 400. Jahangirpuri recorded the worst air quality among the monitoring stations, with an AQI of 463.
Of the 59 monitoring stations that recorded data on Sunday, 12 reported ‘severe’ air qualitywhile 22 remained in the ‘very poor’ category. Several locations across the capital have already recorded AQI levels above 400.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, pollution levels are likely to remain in the ‘severe’ category for several days from November 9.
Why Is Delhi’s Air Quality Expected To Worsen?
Weather and air quality experts have attributed the expected deterioration to unfavourable weather conditions, Diwali celebrations and vehicular emissions, along with the peak stubble-burning period in neighbouring states.
The EWS has warned that weather conditions are not favourable for the dispersion of pollutants. A ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second, combined with an average wind speed of less than 10 kilometres per hour, can prevent pollutants from dispersing effectively.
PM2.5 remained the dominant pollutant in Delhi on Sunday. Emissions from firecrackers during Diwali celebrations are also expected to add to the concentration of particulate matter in the air.
Vehicles Account For 19% Of Delhi’s Pollution
According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi, the transport sector is expected to be the largest contributor to the city’s pollution on Sunday, accounting for 19 per cent of the total.
Stubble burning is projected to contribute 3.5 per cent to Delhi’s pollution levels. The contribution is expected to be around 2.99 per cent on Monday, according to the forecasts.
What Do Different AQI Categories Mean?
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI levels into six categories based on the concentration of pollutants in the air.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, while readings from 51 to 100 fall under ‘satisfactory’. Levels between 101 and 200 are classified as ‘moderate’, while 201 to 300 indicate ‘poor’ air quality.
An AQI ranging from 301 to 400 is categorised as ‘very poor’, while readings between 401 and 500 fall in the ‘severe’ category.
With Delhi’s average AQI already at 376, the expected impact of firecrackers, vehicular emissions and stubble burning could push the capital’s air quality further into the severe zone in the coming days.
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Ask News18Delhi’s average Air Quality Index reached 376 on Sunday, keeping the national capital in the ‘very poor’ category as a thick layer of smog reduced visibility.
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Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
Delhi, India, India
November 08, 2026, 7:55 PM IST
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