National Capital’s air quality improves, may worsen after…
The city’s air quality improved on Sunday, a day after it nearly reached the “poor” category. The average AQI was 167 (moderate), an improvement from 199 on Saturday, thanks to winds of 10-15 km per hour.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that air quality in the national capital is likely to deteriorate from Wednesday onwards with the onset of winter cold. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to be in the “moderate” category on Monday and Tuesday, but is expected to fall into the “poor” category for six days from Wednesday.
The city’s air quality improved on Sunday, a day after it nearly reached the “poor” category. The average AQI was 167 (moderate), an improvement from 199 on Saturday, thanks to winds of 10-15 km per hour.
However, according to the Centre’s Decision Support System (DSS), the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s pollution has increased slightly to 0.8% from 0.4% the other day. The Early Warning System (EWS) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences predicts that air quality will remain “moderate” between October 13-14, before becoming “poor” on October 15 and remaining that way for about a week.
IMD estimate
IMD, in its bulletin, said, “Air quality is likely to be Moderate between 13.10.2025 – 14.10.2025. It is highly likely that air quality will be in the Poor category on 15.10.2025. Outlook for the Next 6 Days: Air quality is likely to be in the Poor category.”
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the capital last recorded “poor” air quality on June 11, with an AQI of 245. Since then, Delhi has experienced 123 more days of clean air, including 77 “satisfactory” and 46 “fair” days.
Experts note that air quality generally declines in October due to the retreat of the monsoon, low temperatures, stubble burning and the start of festive fireworks. Slower winds and cooler conditions lead to “inversion,” which traps pollutants near the surface. Additionally, northwesterly winds carry smoke from Punjab and Haryana, with peak impact seen in early November.
The Decision Support System (DSS) noted that vehicles were the biggest contributors to PM2.5 levels on Sunday (19.8%), followed by emissions from Sonipat (9.2%) and Jhajjar (5.1%). Farm fires are relatively low this year; 116 cases were reported between September 15 and October 11 in Punjab and 11 cases in Haryana; In the same period last year, there were 533 and 280 cases respectively.
The weather forecast in Delhi on Sunday saw a high of 31.5°C and a low of 19.6°C. IMD states that the weather is clear and cool winds are expected from the northwest, with maximum temperatures expected to reach 34°C by Wednesday. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa noted that there has been a significant improvement in air quality in Delhi, with AQI below 200 for 199 days this year; This figure is almost twice as high as in 2016.
