Delhi’s Air Quality Plunges to ‘Very Poor’ as Temperature Hits Two-Year October Low of 15.8°C

Air Turns Toxic as Early Winter Chill Sets In

Delhi woke up to heavy smog and biting morning chill on Sunday, October 26, as the city’s air quality deteriorated to the “very poor” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 324, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The previous day’s reading of 292 (“poor”) had already hinted at worsening conditions. By Sunday, the situation intensified, with 28 monitoring stations across the National Capital Region (NCR) reporting AQI levels above 300 — a threshold that poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

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Anand Vihar and Wazirpur Record ‘Severe’ Levels

Among Delhi’s pollution hotspots, Anand Vihar topped the charts with an AQI of 429, followed closely by Wazirpur at 400, both in the “severe” category. Residents reported visible haze and a sharp drop in visibility during the morning hours.

Other areas such as Rohini, Jahangirpuri, and Vivek Vihar also reported AQI levels above 350, reflecting a citywide deterioration in air quality.

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What the AQI Numbers Mean

According to the CPCB classification:

• 0–50: Good

• 51–100: Satisfactory

• 101–200: Moderate

• 201–300: Poor

• 301–400: Very Poor

• 401–500: Severe

An AQI in the “very poor” range can cause respiratory issues even among healthy individuals, while prolonged exposure in the “severe” range can lead to serious health complications, including aggravated asthma and cardiovascular stress.

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Temperature Drop Worsens Pollution Trapping

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi’s minimum temperature dropped to 15.8°C, marking the lowest October temperature in two years, slightly below the 15.9°C recorded in October 2023. The reading was 1.4°C below normal for this time of year.

The cooler air, combined with calm wind conditions and rising humidity (recorded at 66% at 8:30 a.m.), has led to temperature inversion, a meteorological phenomenon that traps pollutants closer to the ground.

“The combination of lower temperatures, stagnant winds, and increased emissions from vehicles and waste burning typically leads to a sharp rise in pollution levels during late October,” said a senior IMD official.

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Forecast: Clear Skies, Little Relief

The IMD has forecast mainly clear skies during the day, turning partly cloudy by evening or night. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 30°C, but meteorologists warn that air quality may further decline as wind speeds remain low in the coming days.

Pollution control authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activity, especially early in the morning and late at night. Those with respiratory or heart conditions have been urged to wear N95 masks or avoid outdoor exercise altogether.

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Early Warning of Smog Season

With the onset of winter approaching, experts say this episode may mark the beginning of Delhi’s smog season, when a mix of crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana, urban emissions, and weather stagnation combine to create hazardous air conditions.

Environmental researcher Anumita Roychowdhury from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said, “The early dip in temperature has triggered the build-up of pollutants, and without strong winds or enforcement of anti-pollution measures, the city is likely to see further spikes.”

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Editor’s Note:
This report is based on data from the CPCB’s Sameer App, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and verified inputs from environmental experts.