Delhi AQI rose sharply over 24 hours, with the city’s average reading increasing from 90 to 159 and 12 areas crossing 200, placing them in the poor category. The deterioration was reported on Saturday evening as weather conditions remained largely clear and rainfall was not expected across Delhi-NCR for the next three to four days.
Several residential and high-traffic areas recorded AQI levels above 200, although the report did not identify the individual locations. The citywide average of 159 remained in the moderate category, but the 69-point increase from the previous day indicated a rapid worsening in air quality.
The pollution increase followed a sharp fluctuation during the preceding 24 hours. According to AQI.in data cited in the report, Delhi’s AQI stood at 135 at 10.30am on October 16 before improving to 65. The improvement did not last, with the reading rising to 240 by evening. At 10.30am on October 17, the AQI was recorded at 216.
Weather conditions are expected to remain broadly unfavourable for a quick improvement in air quality. The maximum temperature on the following day was forecast to remain between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, with clear conditions during the day. Wind speeds of 10 to 15 kilometres per hour were expected in the afternoon, while morning and evening winds were likely to be slower.
The India Meteorological Department forecast daytime wind speeds of 15 to 20 kilometres per hour between October 19 and 22, along with clear weather in the afternoon. However, weaker winds during the morning and evening could allow pollution levels to rise during those periods. No rainfall was expected over the next three to four days, and maximum temperatures were forecast to remain around 32 to 34 degrees Celsius through October 23.
The report also linked the anticipated pollution pressure to increased traffic during Durga Puja and emissions from fireworks. These factors, combined with dry weather and slower winds at parts of the day, were cited as reasons for the expected persistence of elevated pollution levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, according to a PTI report cited by Live Hindustan, that the capital had recorded 211 days this year with AQI in the good, satisfactory or moderate categories. Excluding 2020, he described this as the best performance since 2016. The comparable figures were 200 days in 2025, 209 in 2024, 206 in 2023, 159 in 2018 and 110 in 2016.
The immediate forecast therefore points to continued monitoring of air quality, particularly in the morning and evening, while residents face several more days without rainfall and with temperatures remaining relatively high.
