Delhi’s Air Quality Improves to ‘Poor’ After Days of ‘Very Poor’ Haze

Delhi’s Air Quality Improves to ‘Poor’ After Days of ‘Very Poor’ Haze
Greater wind speeds provide temporary relief, but forecasters warn of rapid deterioration

New Delhi, November 30, 2025 | WorldNow.co.in

Delhi residents woke up to marginally clearer skies on Saturday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from the “very poor” to the “poor” category for the first time in over a week, offering a brief respite from the choking pollution that has gripped the national capital.

At 9 a.m., the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 288, down from 354 on Friday and a peak of 390 earlier in the week. Several monitoring stations in the city reported readings below the 300 mark, with Anand Vihar (278), Punjabi Bagh (265) and RK Puram (271) showing the most noticeable improvement.

Meteorologists attributed the improvement to stronger surface winds — averaging 12–18 km/h through Friday night and Saturday morning — that helped disperse accumulated pollutants. “North-westerly winds flushed out a significant portion of the stagnant pollutants that had built up under prolonged calm conditions,” said a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

However, authorities and independent forecasters cautioned that the relief is likely to be short-lived. The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) predicted that wind speeds will drop sharply from Sunday evening, allowing pollutant levels to rise again. Calmer conditions, falling temperatures and continued emissions from local sources, farm fires and vehicular traffic are expected to push the AQI back into the “very poor” category (301–400) by Monday.

The Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast “very poor” air for the next six days, with a possibility of touching “severe” on December 3–4 if additional unfavourable meteorological factors align.

Despite a decline in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana over the past 48 hours, transport-level north-westerly winds continue to carry residual smoke into the capital. Satellite imagery analysed by SAFAR showed moderate fire activity persisting in the region on Friday.

With the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III restrictions still in force across the National Capital Region, construction activities remain partially banned and older diesel vehicles are barred from Delhi roads. Authorities have urged citizens to limit outdoor exposure, especially children and the elderly, as the brief improvement does not signal a sustained recovery.

As Delhi breathes slightly easier today, the familiar winter question returns: how many more days of clean air will the city get before the toxic haze reclaims the skyline?

— Samaran, Founding Editor, WorldNow.co.in