Severe Air Pollution Hits Delhi as AQI Reaches Dangerous Levels

Delhi is grappling with a severe air quality crisis as the Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrockets to 301, marking it as 'very poor'. This alarming situation has been attributed to strong winds carrying dust from western Rajasthan, leading to reduced visibility and health concerns. The political fallout from this environmental issue is also intensifying, with local parties exchanging blame. As the city braces for potential thunderstorms and high temperatures, the implications of this pollution crisis are becoming increasingly urgent. Read on to learn more about the factors contributing to this situation and the expected weather changes.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 16, 2025, 11:55 IST

Air Quality Crisis in Delhi

On Friday morning, Delhi experienced alarming air pollution levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 301, categorizing it as 'very poor'.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI was recorded at 301 at 7 AM. Several monitoring stations reported even worse figures, including Anand Vihar at 352, Ashok Vihar at 322, and Aya Nagar at 333.

For context, AQI readings are classified as follows: 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor', 301-400 is 'very poor', and 401-500 is 'severe'.

What Caused the Sudden Decline in Air Quality?

The pollution levels have surged rapidly, marking the first time in nearly two weeks that the AQI has fallen into the 'poor' category. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that strong winds carrying dust from western Rajasthan swept into Delhi on Thursday morning, deteriorating air quality and reducing visibility across the city.

The IMD indicated that the sudden increase in dust and wind was due to a significant pressure difference in northwestern India. Winds blew at speeds of 30 to 40 km/h from the night of May 14 until morning, transporting dust from Rajasthan through Punjab, Haryana, and into Delhi.

In Palam and surrounding areas, winds reached speeds of 30-40 km/h, lifting dust particles from Rajasthan, leading to an unusual decline in air quality in the national capital this May. Meanwhile, political disputes over the poor air quality have emerged, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticizing the BJP government, claiming that its promises for clean air have crumbled within just three months.

Weather Forecast

The IMD noted that the minimum temperature in the national capital was recorded at 26.2 degrees Celsius, which is 0.3 degrees below the seasonal average. Rain and thunderstorms are forecasted for Friday and Saturday, with maximum temperatures expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius. As of 8:30 AM, the relative humidity was at 44 percent.