Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Marked Improvement, Hits Lower ‘Poor’ Zone

Delhi’s air quality has shown significant improvement, moving to the lower end of the “poor” category on Wednesday. Favorable meteorological conditions, including strong surface winds and rising temperatures, have played a pivotal role in dispersing pollutants, according to experts.

At 9 am on Wednesday, the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded 205, the lowest since October 15, when it reached 198. This marked a notable drop from the AQI readings of 268 and 280 recorded at 4 pm on Tuesday and Monday, respectively.

Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology at Skymet, highlighted the impact of strong surface winds, which reached speeds of 15–20 km/hr on Tuesday afternoon.

He added that similar wind conditions will persist until Friday, potentially improving air quality further.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that no fog appeared in the city on Wednesday, with visibility reaching a minimum of 1,200 meters.

Rising temperatures have also contributed to pollutant dispersion, with the minimum temperature climbing to 12°C, three degrees above normal, compared to 10.5°C the previous day. Tuesday’s maximum temperature reached 28.2°C, exceeding the seasonal norm by three degrees, and meteorologists expect it to hover around 27°C on Wednesday.

IMD forecasts suggest a relatively mild December, with average maximum and minimum temperatures likely to remain above normal across northwest India. This could help delay the typical December spike in pollution caused by plummeting temperatures, reduced wind speeds, and dense fog.

As of Wednesday morning, none of the city’s 39 air quality monitoring stations recorded “severe” or “very poor” air quality. Sixteen stations reported “moderate” pollution levels, with the highest AQI of 283 at Shadipur and the lowest at 152 in ITO.

Last December, Delhi’s average AQI was 348, with three “severe” air quality days. A seasonal spike in pollution is expected later in the month as dropping temperatures and setting fog worsen air quality. However, current trends indicate a temporary respite for residents.