Delhi Air Quality Reaches 161 as Temperatures Fall in October

Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate category on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 161 at 9 a.m., as falling temperatures and dry weather raised concerns about worsening pollution ahead of winter. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported the reading, while the Air Quality Early Warning System forecast a deterioration to the poor category from Wednesday.

The latest reading followed a sharp increase over the preceding days. According to CPCB data reported by NDTV, Delhi's AQI climbed from 90 on Friday to 159 on Saturday and 187 on Sunday, more than doubling in three days before easing to 118 at 8 a.m. Monday, October 19, according to the CPCB figures cited by The Hindu.

On Sunday, October 18, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 17.1 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees below the seasonal normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The reading was the city's lowest nighttime temperature of the month so far and 1.5 degrees Celsius below Saturday's minimum.

Weather stations across the capital also reported below-normal temperatures. Palam recorded 16.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday, while Lodhi Road and Ayanagar each registered 16.8 degrees Celsius. The Ridge recorded 17.7 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD's October 19 bulletin.

By Tuesday, the minimum temperature had reached 17.7 degrees Celsius across Delhi, according to the Deccan Chronicle. Palam recorded 17.3 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees below normal, while Lodhi Road registered 17 degrees Celsius, matching its seasonal average. Ridge recorded 18.5 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal, and Ayanagar registered 18 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal.

Pollution levels varied substantially across the capital during the recent deterioration. CPCB data cited by NDTV showed that ITO recorded an AQI of 430 on Sunday, placing it in the severe category. Twenty-two monitoring locations across Delhi recorded poor air quality that day, highlighting the uneven distribution of pollution across the city.

On Saturday, Anand Vihar registered an AQI of 348, while Mundka recorded 227 and Jahangirpuri reached 212. Chandni Chowk reported 188, while Vivek Vihar and Rohini each recorded 187. Punjabi Bagh registered 171, Narela 165, CRRI Mathura Road 158 and Dwarka Sector 8 155.

The CPCB classifies AQI readings of 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. Under these categories, Delhi's overall reading of 161 on Tuesday remained moderate, although the early-warning forecast pointed to poor air quality beginning Wednesday.

Dry conditions, reduced wind speeds and emissions from vehicles, road dust and construction activity have contributed to the deterioration, according to NDTV's report. Without rainfall, pollutants can accumulate near the ground, while cooler temperatures, lower mixing heights and stagnant winds can limit their dispersal as winter approaches.

No rainfall was recorded at any of Delhi's five weather stations during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. Monday, October 19, according to the IMD. NDTV reported that no rainfall was forecast for the following week, raising the likelihood that weather conditions would continue to challenge pollution control efforts.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said Saturday that the capital had recorded 211 days of good, satisfactory and moderate air quality so far in 2026. He described the tally as the best since 2016, apart from 2020, when pandemic-related conditions affected activity levels.

According to figures cited by NDTV, Delhi recorded 200 days of good-to-moderate air quality in 2025, 209 in 2024, 206 in 2023, 159 in 2018 and 110 in 2016. Sirsa also said the number of days with poor, very poor and severe air quality had fallen from 168 during the corresponding period in 2016 to 79 in 2026.