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Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category for the fourth straight day, with the AQI touching 359 on Monday morning. Forecasts indicate a further decline, with pollution expected to hit the ‘severe’ level between 17 and 19 November.
AQI May Turn ‘Severe’ Till Wednesday
New Delhi: Air quality in the national capital, Delhi, remained in the "very poor" category for the fourth consecutive day. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 359 at 8 am on Monday. It improved slightly from 377 at 4 pm on Sunday, as wind speeds increased to 15 km/h during the day.
Forecasts indicate that Delhi is unlikely to see any relief in the coming days. Air quality may again reach "severe" levels between Monday and Wednesday.
Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ category; Highest pollution level of season, no GRAP restrictions yet?
The Early Warning System (EWS), operated under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, stated, "Delhi's air quality is expected to remain in the "severe" category between November 17 and 19, and may remain in the "very poor" to "severe" range for the next six days."
The average AQI from November 1–15, considered the most polluted month in Delhi each year, was 349 this year. This is lower than in 2024 (367) and 2023 (376), and around 2022 (345).
Experts say that delayed harvests, fewer stubble burning incidents, and an early Diwali this year have kept pollution under control.
Pollution control experts have indicated that data errors or lack of data at many of Delhi's 39 active monitoring stations may also have affected this average.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in the last 15 days, Delhi recorded three days in the "severe" category, 10 days in the "very poor" category, and two days in the "poor" category. Last year, during the same period, two severe and 13 very poor days were recorded.
Delhi-NCR chokes under severe pollution; AQI crosses 400 in multiple areas
The minimum temperature on Sunday was 9°C, 4.5°C below normal and the lowest since November 2022. It is predicted that the temperature may drop to around 8°C on Monday.
Low temperatures stabilize the atmosphere, preventing the dispersion of pollutants and worsening the AQI.
Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is currently in effect in Delhi, which came into effect on November 11. This includes strict measures such as a ban on construction activities, a ban on diesel generators, and dust control on roads.
