Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens to Season’s Worst Since June, Hazy Skies Hint at Polluted Days Ahead

The familiar grey haze has returned to Delhi, with air pollution levels spiking on Saturday and marking the capital’s worst air quality since mid-June. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 169, a sharp rise from Friday’s 120, pushing it into the ‘moderate’ category but teetering close to the ‘poor’ zone.

The sudden deterioration is being seen by many as a grim reminder of the pollution season that annually chokes the national capital. Though October is still days away, the haze blanketing the skies on Saturday was an early warning sign of what’s likely to come in the next few months—when stubble burning, falling temperatures, and festive fireworks combine to create toxic smog.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Saturday's spike was primarily due to a cyclonic circulation pulling large amounts of dust into the city. This natural phenomenon stirred up particulates, leading to a visible drop in air quality across several areas.

For context, an AQI between 101 and 200 is considered ‘moderate’, while 201–300 is ‘poor’. Anything beyond that is classified as ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’—levels that Delhi unfortunately sees all too often in the winter months.

Adding to the discomfort, Delhi’s weather remained unusually warm for this time of year. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 37.2°C on Saturday, which is 1.8°C above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature stood at 25.7°C, also 1.8°C higher than normal. Humidity hovered at 54% by late evening, contributing to the muggy conditions.

Looking ahead, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a partly cloudy sky on Sunday as well, with the maximum temperature likely to dip slightly to 36°C and the minimum expected around 25°C. However, the real point of concern remains the AQI needle—where it settles will signal whether Delhi has already stepped into its dreaded season of pollution.

Experts and citizens alike are now bracing for the capital’s annual battle with deteriorating air quality—a problem that has become as seasonal as the monsoon itself.