Delhi: Air quality deteriorates, AQI in ‘poor’ category

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 15.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 3.2 degrees below the season’s average, the Meteorological Department said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted strong surface winds during the day.

The maximum temperature is expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.

The air quality remained in the poor category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 219 at 9 am, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI between zero and 50 is classified as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 231 during the January-March period, marking the lowest for the quarter in five years, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The CAQM, which oversees air pollution control plans for Delhi-NCR, stated that the January-March period of 2025 had the best air quality in the past five years.

The average AQI for this quarter stood at 231, compared to 250 in 2024, 240 in 2023, 241 in 2022, and 278 in 2021.

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In 2025, not a single day recorded an AQI above 400. By contrast, there were six such days in 2021, one in 2022, three in 2023, and three in 2024.

During the first quarter of 2025, Delhi experienced 36 days with an AQI below 200, compared to 13 days in 2021, 27 in 2022, 35 in 2023, and 41 in 2024.

Favourable weather conditions, along with efforts from various agencies, contributed to the improvement in Delhi’s air quality, the panel said.

(With inputs from PTI)