Smog Blanket Returns to Delhi; Air Quality Deteriorates, Visibility Remains Low

Thick Smog Shrouds Delhi as Air Quality Stays ‘Poor’; Visibility Drops Across City

New Delhi: Residents of the national capital woke up to another hazy morning on Thursday as a thick blanket of smog covered the skyline, pushing air quality back into the “poor” category and reducing visibility across several parts of the city.

According to data from SAFAR, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 264 at 8:20 a.m., indicating “poor” air quality. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an AQI of 230 around Kartavya Path. The smog made morning travel difficult, with many commuters reporting reduced visibility on major stretches and key junctions.

Although pollution levels had slightly improved on Wednesday — when the city logged an AQI of 202 — the gains proved temporary. Experts attributed the brief improvement to favourable wind conditions that helped disperse pollutants.

Stubble Burning Continues in Neighbouring States

Satellite data on Wednesday showed 94 stubble-burning incidents in Punjab, 13 in Haryana, and 74 in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting continued farm fire activity contributing to Delhi’s poor air quality.

The capital’s AQI has fluctuated between the “poor” and “very poor” categories since Diwali, occasionally touching the “severe” zone. On Tuesday, the AQI was 291 (“poor”), down from 366 (“very poor”) recorded on Sunday.

As per CPCB’s categorisation, an AQI reading of 201–300 is considered “poor,” 301–400 “very poor,” and 401–500 “severe.”

Weather Outlook

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 30.4°C on Wednesday, about 1.6°C above normal, while the minimum settled at 18.4°C. The IMD has forecast mainly clear skies on Thursday, with temperatures likely to hover around 32°C (maximum) and 18°C (minimum).