Delhi’s air quality dropped into the ‘severe category’ for the first time in 2025 on Tuesday, with the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 428, as the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The CPCB’s data AQI update, which is usually released by 4 pm, was delayed by several hours, with Monday’s data being out only after 11 pm. Officials have not mentioned any specific reason behind the delay. The national capital, which had remained in the ‘’very poor” category for several days, worsened further because of stagnant weather conditions and local emissions.
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What does a “severe” AQI level mean?
A “severe” AQI level indicates dangerously high pollution, posing health risks even for healthy individuals and may severely affect those with respiratory or cardiac issues. The last time Delhi recorded such levels was in December 2024.
In response to the deteriorating condition, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that schools up to class 5 will operate in hybrid mode. They will be offering both online as well offline classes to protect children’s health.
#WATCH | Delhi | The area around India Gate and Kartavya Path is blanketed in a dense layer of toxic smog as the AQI in the area is 408 in the 'Severe' category, as claimed by the CPCB pic.twitter.com/wnxGt4gCx4
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2025
Heading a review meeting, the Delhi CM has directed officials to strictly impose Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The government has also stationed 2,088 enforcement teams to keep a watch against violations and take action against construction sites that are not following pollution norms, as per a report by PTI.
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As per the Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality prediction, stubble burning has contributed 6.5 % to Delhi’s pollution on Tuesday. The transport sector has counted 18.2% and vehicle emissions. The DSC predicts that on Wednesday, farm fires will add 5.3% and vehicle emissions may surge by 18.9%.
Here’s area-wise Delhi AQI
Area / LocationAQICategoryAnand Vihar438SevereAshok Vihar439SevereBawana451SevereBurari Crossing439SevereChandni Chowk449SevereDwarka Sector 8424SevereMundka444SevereITO433SevereIGI Airport395Very PoorLodhi Road304Very PoorJahangirpuri446SevereNorth Campus429SevereOkhla Phase 2410SeverePatparganj436SevereRK Puram431SevereShadipur392Very PoorSri Aurobindo Marg406SevereVivek Vihar436SevereWazirpur458SevereDelhi Weather Update
The India Meteorological Department predicts shallow fog for Wednesday morning, with temperatures to vary around 27 degrees Celsius maximum and 11 degrees Celsius minimum. |
