Delhi's air quality has plummeted to hazardous levels, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 391 on Sunday morning, December 28, 2025. This alarming reading places the city in the "Very Poor" category and inches closer to the "Severe" category. Residents woke up to a thick blanket of smog that significantly reduced visibility across the capital.
Several monitoring stations across Delhi reported alarming pollution levels. Anand Vihar, a known pollution hotspot, recorded a hazardous AQI of 445. Other areas with very poor to severe air quality include ITO (403), Wazirpur (433), Rohini (424), and Patparganj (424). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes air quality as "good" (0–50), "satisfactory" (51–100), "moderate" (101–200), "poor" (201–300), "very poor" (301–400), and "severe" (401–500).
The major air pollutants contributing to the current crisis are particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). As of today, the primary pollutants are PM10 at 322.71 µg/m³ and PM2.5 at 392.66 µg/m³.
According to AccuWeather, any exposure to the air, even for a few minutes, can lead to serious health effects for everyone, and outdoor activities should be avoided.
어린이나 호흡기 문제가 있는 사람과 같은 민감한 그룹은 조심하고 야외 시간을 제한해야 합니다. If the AQI is "Poor" or higher, it's best to reduce outdoor activities and use a mask if stepping out.
The India Meteorological Department has indicated that calm wind conditions, possibly linked to approaching western disturbances, are contributing to the elevated pollution levels. A forecast from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi predicts that the air quality is likely to remain in the "Very Poor" category in the coming days. The maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal for this time of year.
