Delhi Air Quality Plunges to ‘Very Poor’ Amid Cold Wave, AQI Hits 385

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : Delhi continued to grapple with hazardous air on Friday as the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 385, firmly placing it in the “very poor” category. The toxic air has added to the woes of residents already facing a biting cold wave across the Delhi-NCR region.

The sharp deterioration comes just a day after authorities lifted the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-III restrictions, implemented to curb severe pollution. However, the brief relief was short-lived. On Thursday, Delhi’s AQI surged to 377 from 327 the previous day, indicating a rapid decline in air quality within 24 hours.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has clarified that Stage-III measures will only be reinstated if the AQI surpasses 400, which falls under the “severe” category. Until then, authorities plan to continue monitoring the situation closely without imposing stricter curbs.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the rise in pollution is largely due to low wind speeds, which allowed particulate matter to accumulate throughout the day. On Thursday, the AQI climbed from 351 at 8 am to 381 by 7 pm, reflecting continuous build-up of pollutants. Meteorologists noted that winds remained almost stagnant at 4–5 kmph, insufficient to disperse the pollution effectively. Forecasts indicate that Delhi is likely to remain in the “very poor” category over the coming days.

The ongoing cold wave has further compounded the crisis. Temperatures across Delhi-NCR and parts of North India have dropped to lows of 8–12°C, while dense fog and haze have shrouded the city, reducing visibility on roads and slowing traffic.

Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to such polluted air can have serious health impacts, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions. They advise residents to stay indoors as much as possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and wear protective masks when stepping outside is unavoidable.

As Delhi struggles with this dual challenge of severe air pollution and record-low temperatures, authorities continue to monitor conditions, urging citizens to take necessary precautions while highlighting the need for long-term measures to tackle the city’s persistent air quality crisis.