Delhi Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’ as Smog Envelops City, Noida Hits ‘Severe’

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : Delhi woke up on Sunday under a dense blanket of smog, with air quality lingering in the ‘very poor’ category, once again highlighting the city’s persistent pollution challenges. Neighbouring Noida fared worse, recording ‘severe’ air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 415.

Data from the Sameer app, developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), showed Delhi’s overall AQI at 391 as of 6:05 a.m. on Sunday. Of the city’s 39 active monitoring stations, 20 reported air quality in the ‘severe’ category.

The most affected areas included Anand Vihar at 445, Shadipur at 443, Jahangirpuri at 430, Chandni Chowk at 415, and Wazirpur at 443. Other localities such as ITO recorded an AQI of 402, while NSIT Dwarka reported a relatively lower reading of 214.

According to CPCB classifications, an AQI between 51–100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and readings above 400 fall under ‘severe’.

On Saturday, the capital’s air quality had already deteriorated, slipping into the ‘severe’ bracket. The AQI was recorded at 385 (‘very poor’) at 4 p.m., rising to 390 by 6 p.m. and reaching 391 by 10 p.m., indicating a continuous worsening trend.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Sunday morning, warning of dense fog and cold wave-like conditions across Delhi and adjoining areas. Meteorological experts cautioned that pollution levels are likely to remain elevated in the coming days due to the impact of western disturbances across north India.

The weather department has reiterated the yellow alert, advising residents to remain cautious amid moderate to dense fog conditions. Authorities have also stressed the need for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, to limit outdoor activities.

Experts attribute the sustained poor air quality to a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, burning of crop residue in neighbouring states, and stagnant atmospheric conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground.

With winter at its peak, meteorologists have warned that smog and haze are expected to persist, further aggravating health risks and reducing visibility. Residents are advised to monitor AQI levels regularly and follow safety measures such as wearing masks and using air purifiers indoors.

Team Maverick