**Delhi’s Air Quality Remains Poor Amidst Cold November Weather**
Delhi experienced another polluted morning on Sunday, with the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 270 at 6 am, categorizing it as ‘poor’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Thanks to improved surface wind conditions the previous evening, the air quality shifted from the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels observed in recent days to the ‘poor’ category.
Despite this slight improvement, many areas in the capital continued to experience significantly worse air quality than the city average, with most monitoring stations recording values below the 300 mark. Shadipur reported the highest pollution level at 336, followed closely by RK Puram at 308, both classified as ‘very poor.’ Other notable hotspots included Burari (283), Bawana (295), Sirifort (295), Wazirpur (282), Chandni Chowk (281), Anand Vihar (281), Narela (279), Punjabi Bagh (266), and JLN Stadium (269), all remaining firmly in the ‘poor’ zone.
In contrast, some neighborhoods reported comparatively cleaner air, with Mandir Marg recording an AQI of 157, the only area in the ‘moderate’ range. Other locations such as Aya Nagar (225), IGI Airport (227), NSIT Dwarka (228), Lodhi Road (251), Alipur (247), Najafgarh (242), and North Campus (240) also fell within the ‘poor’ category.
The air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR) was similarly unhealthy, with Gurgaon registering an AQI of 233 and Noida at 267, both in the ‘poor’ band. Faridabad reported a more moderate AQI of 178, while Ghaziabad recorded 262, placing it in the ‘poor’ zone.
These readings are significant when viewed against the national AQI scale, where values from 0–50 are considered ‘good,’ 51–100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101–200 ‘moderate,’ 201–300 ‘poor’ (with potential breathing discomfort on prolonged exposure), 301–400 ‘very poor’ (risk of respiratory illness), and anything above 401 classified as ‘severe,’ affecting even healthy individuals.
Residents venturing outside early reported persistent haze, eye irritation, and breathing discomfort, despite the slight improvement from last week’s hazardous levels. Many noted that the air “feels heavy,” even if visibility appears better in certain areas. As of now, Delhi has spent nearly half of November experiencing ‘poor,’ ‘very poor,’ or ‘severe’ air quality, raising concerns about the health implications of prolonged exposure as winter conditions set in.
Notably, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that Delhi is experiencing its coldest November in five years, with the monthly average minimum temperature dropping to 11.5°C. In comparison, the average minimum temperatures for previous years were higher, with 14.7°C in 2024, 12°C in 2023, 12.3°C in 2022, and 11.9°C in 2021. Daytime temperatures have also been lower than last year, with this November’s average maximum settling at 27.7°C compared to 29.4°C a year ago. The lowest maximum temperature recorded was 25.1°C, contributing to a noticeably cooler feel during the day.
Additionally, November has remained completely dry, with no recorded rainfall, continuing the trend of dry post-monsoon conditions.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is the current air quality status in Delhi?**
A: As of Sunday morning, Delhi’s average AQI is 270, categorized as ‘poor,’ with several areas experiencing even worse air quality.