Marginal improvement in Delhi air quality but still very poor

Delhi's air quality marginally improved on November 25 but still stood in the "very poor" category with monitoring agencies anticipating further relief due to a western disturbance which may improve meteorological conditions starting on November 26. The national capital has recorded 10 severe air quality days this November so far.

The city recorded just three severe air quality days in November last year, while it experienced 12 such days in 2021, the maximum in the month since the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) began monitoring. There were nine such days in November 2020; 7 in 2019; 5 in 2018; 7 in 2017; 10 in 2016 and 6 in 2015, according to CPCB data.

Air quality in Delhi turned 'severe' on Friday with a drop in minimum temperatures and slow wind speed at night allowing accumulation of pollutants. The city's air quality index (AQI) stood at 389 at 4 pm, improving from 421 at 8 am.

A scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a relief due to a likely improvement in meteorological conditions under the influence of a western disturbance expected to affect northwest India starting on November 26. Delhi saw a gradual increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement last November 19.