Delhi AQI Climbs to 387 as Half of Stations Record Severe Levels Ahead of Diwali

Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index stood at 387 at 7 a.m. on 6 November, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. That reading places the city in the very poor category and is 18 points higher than the 369 recorded at the same time on Thursday. The average was 377 on Wednesday, 350 on Tuesday and 324 on Monday.

Of the 59 active monitoring stations in Delhi, 28 recorded severe air quality. Rohini reported the highest reading at 473. Punjabi Bagh followed at 464, RK Puram at 441, Alipur and Sonia Vihar at 435, North Campus at 424 and Okhla Phase 2 at 426. ITO stood at 420 and Najafgarh at 412. Other stations remained in the very poor range. Anand Vihar recorded 350, Chandni Chowk 386 and Lodhi Road 306.

The Air Quality Early Warning System forecast that the city could enter the severe category from Friday through Sunday. Severe is defined as 401 to 500. Very poor is 301 to 400. The system said levels are likely to remain severe to very poor for several days afterward. Stubble burning in neighboring states contributed to the load; one estimate placed its share of PM2.5 at 15.6 percent on Thursday. Diwali falls on 8 November, and firecracker use is expected to add further emissions.

Neighboring cities also recorded elevated readings. Noida and Gurugram were in the very poor or higher range on independent monitors. Wind speeds near the ground dropped, and a layer of warmer air held pollutants close to the surface overnight. Higher-level winds brought air from the northwest, where farm fires were active.

The CPCB classifies AQI from 0–50 as good, 51–100 as satisfactory, 101–200 as moderate, 201–300 as poor, 301–400 as very poor and 401–500 as severe. Severe levels affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing respiratory or cardiac conditions. Officials have not yet announced additional emergency measures beyond existing restrictions on construction and vehicle use under the Graded Response Action Plan.

The rise comes after four consecutive days in the very poor category. By 9 a.m. some readings had reached 391. Stations in Rohini, IIT Delhi and Punjabi Bagh have repeatedly led the city this week. The combination of stagnant air, regional crop residue burning and the approach of Diwali has produced the highest readings of the season so far.

Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activity. The early warning system expects the severe category to persist through the weekend. No city-wide school closures or additional vehicle restrictions have been confirmed as of Friday morning. The next official daily bulletin is expected in the afternoon.