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Delhi continues to choke under severe air pollution as the AQI remains in the ‘severe’ category at 463. Throughout December, the national capital failed to record even a single day of ‘moderate’ air quality.
Delhi Air Quality Stays Severe, No Relief in December So Far
New Delhi: The air pollution crisis in the national capital Delhi continues to worsen. On Thursday, a thick layer of smog covered many parts of the city. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 463, which falls into the 'severe' category. Anand Vihar, where the video was filmed, was among the most polluted areas.
The month of December is drawing to a close, but Delhi residents have not found any relief this entire month. Surprisingly, there hasn't been a single day in December so far when the AQI was below 200, i.e., in the 'moderate' category. According to official CPCB data, the capital's air quality remained mostly in the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories throughout the month.
Delhi Chokes and Chills: Dense fog disrupts traffic as AQI breaches 400
According to the data, there have been approximately 20 days in December so far when Delhi's air quality was in the red zone, meaning the AQI was above 301. According to CPCB standards, air quality is considered moderate only when the AQI is below 200, but this situation never occurred in December this year.
Compared to last year, the pollution situation appears much worse this time. In December 2024, there were at least six days in Delhi when the air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category. That year, the AQI was below 200 for a total of eight days, while it was in the 'poor' category for eight days and in the 'severe' category for six days.
According to CPCB data, between December 1 and 7, 2024, Delhi's air quality was mostly in the moderate to poor category. There was only one day when the AQI crossed 300, reaching the 'very poor' category, but the situation improved the very next day. This means that last year, there were occasional days of respite.
In contrast, this year the situation has remained poor since the beginning of December. From December 1st to 8th, the AQI was consistently recorded above 300, meaning the air quality was continuously in the 'very poor' category. There was only a brief respite of two days when the AQI dropped to the 'poor' category. However, after December 11th, pollution levels returned to the red zone, and the situation has remained critical ever since.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI of 0–50 is considered 'good', 51–100 'satisfactory', 101–200 'moderate', 201–300 'poor', 301–400 'very poor', and 401–500 'severe'. Air quality in the severe category increases the risk of respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and throat problems. Doctors advise people to avoid going outside unnecessarily.
