How does the CPCB categorize the AQI levels?

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 “moderate”, 201 to 300 “poor”, 301 to 400 “very poor”, and 401 to 500 “severe”.

Dry spell, slow winds push Delhi’s AQI to 62-day high

Q: What is the average AQI recorded in the Capital on Sunday?

The city noted an average AQI of 160.

According to IMD forecasts, Delhi is likely to see “no rain” over the next week with clear skies between Monday and Friday.

Updated on: Sep 21, 2026, 07:34:45 IST

By Paras Singh, New Delhi

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The air quality index (AQI) in the Capital sharply deteriorated on Sunday, recording the worst reading in 62 days. Lack of rain, slow wind speed, and localised emissions have led to relative increase in the pollution levels, officials said. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast said the city is not likely to witness any rain activity over the next week as monsoon begins withdrawing from the region.

Delhi saw relatively cleaner air quality over the last month owing to monsoon rains and high wind speeds. (Representative Image (File Photo/ANI))

The city noted an average AQI of 160 (higher end of the “moderate” zone), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s 4pm reading. It continued to deteriorate further in the night, recording at 165 at 10pm.

This was the highest since July 19, when it stood at 171 (moderate).

Also Read | Delhi's August sees above-normal rain, warm nights and three-year-high AQI

Delhi AQI

To be sure, the city has dipped into the “moderate” category several times since. The city had recorded an AQI of 88 on Friday, 118 on Saturday, and 160 on Sunday with PM2.5 and Ozone being dominant pollutants.

Within Delhi, six out of 45 active air quality monitoring stations registered air quality in “poor” category — IGI airport station (264), IIT Delhi (202), Chandni Chowk (227), Okhla Phase-2 (219) and Patparganj (209) and Sirifort (210). 38 stations recorded readings between 101 and 200 while only one was in the satisfactory category — Delhi Cantonment (81).

Delhi saw relatively cleaner air quality over the last month owing to monsoon rains and high wind speeds. In September, Delhi has registered 12 “satisfactory” and eight “moderate” air quality days with Sunday facing the maximum pollutant load.

Also Read | Lucknow beats 14-rank gap to top national clean-air survey list, but AQI clouds the crown

On July 9, Delhi recorded its cleanest air day of the year, with the AQI falling in the “good” category at 48. The last poor air quality day was registered on July 12 with AQI at 246.

A brief deterioration in AQI on July 12 and 13 was observed which was attributed to long-range transnational winds carrying mineral dust from storm activity in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, which moved towards northwestern India, including Delhi, leading to elevated PM10 concentrations.

Delhi weather, IMD forecast

According to IMD forecasts, Delhi is likely to see “no rain” over the next week with clear skies between Monday and Friday and partly cloudy sky over the weekend. The normal date for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from Delhi is September 25. The IMD forecast says that the city will witness maximum temperature between 34-36°C and minimum temperature between 23-25°C over the next week.

Also Read | Dry weather likely in Himachal from September 22, mercury to rise: IMD

Mahesh Palawat, vice-president at Skymet Weather, the monsoon is already in withdrawal phase and westerly winds have started. “It will gradually withdraw from Delhi. It is unlikely that there will be any further monsoon rain in Delhi. A brief depression may form in the Bay of Bengal but its impact in Delhi will be very limited.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paras Singh
Paras Singh is a New Delhi-based journalist with Hindustan Times, where he serves as Deputy Metro Editor. He reports on urban governance, the Delhi government, the Delhi BJP, water management, the environment, communities and city life. He joined Hindustan Times in 2021 after beginning his journalism career at The Times of India in 2016, where he covered civic bodies, the water and power sectors, and urban infrastructure. Over the last decade, some of his reporting has led to significant public impact, with investigations into environmental violations, corruption and illegal industrial activity contributing to multiple judicial interventions by the National Green Tribunal and the Delhi High Court. A graduate of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, Paras studied journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. Having extensively covered the capital's evolving civic and governance landscape, his recent work increasingly explores Delhi's history, built heritage, urban evolution and the relationship between people and place, alongside continuing to report on governance and public policy.Read More

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