Delhi Air Quality Improves to 223 ‘Poor’ on Thursday; Stubble Share Rises

Delhi’s air quality improved on Thursday, 22 October, with the citywide AQI at 223, in the “poor” band, against 245 on Wednesday, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reported by India.com. Daytime surface winds helped disperse pollutants, the report said. IPB’s forecast that morning had expected a “very poor” reading, so the city did better than the early warning figure.

One Station Very Poor, 29 Poor

Of 54 monitoring stations, 29 recorded “poor” air, one was “very poor” and the rest “moderate.” Jahangirpuri was the worst at an AQI of 305 at 7 pm, on the CPCB’s Sameer app. On Wednesday, Jahangirpuri hit 308 and Pusa 314, and the AQI had stayed above 200 for every hour after 2 am, India.com reported.

Farm Fires Add 4.1% to Delhi’s PM2.5

Stubble burning contributed 4.1% of Delhi’s PM2.5 on Wednesday, the highest this season and up from under 1% earlier. The decision support system forecast about 8% for 21 October, 13.3% for 22 October and 10.4% for 23 October. In 2025, farm fires exceeded 10% of Delhi’s pollution on seven days and 20% on one, and stayed below 5% on most days.

A ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second, with average wind speed under 10 km/h, is unfavourable for dispersion. That is the condition to watch as nights get colder.

Showers on October 24-25 Could Help

The IMD expects isolated to scattered rain over Delhi-NCR on 24 and 25 October as a western disturbance arrives, as reported by India.com. Earlier IPB coverage: Delhi Air Likely Very Poor Today; Dry Days, Showers Return Oct 24. Further updates are on the Weather Updates page.

Source: CPCB air quality index bulletin. Also based on reporting by India.com and India.com (21 October).

Image: PTI.