Delhi Air Quality Moderate at 191; Dry, Partly Cloudy Sunday
Image: Business Standard / PTI (file)
Delhi’s air moved out of the “poor” band on Saturday, 24 October, with the 24-hour average AQI at 191 at 4 pm, down from 230 a day earlier, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects partly cloudy skies and a maximum of 32–34°C on Sunday, with no rain in the forecast for the city.
Warm Afternoons, Cooler Nights
Safdarjung recorded a high of 32.9°C and a low of 18.3°C on Saturday, 1.1°C above normal. Ayanagar was the coolest at 17°C, while Palam and Lodhi Road dipped to 17.6°C. No rain was recorded at the five main stations in the 24 hours to 8:30 am on Saturday. The light showers and gusty winds forecast earlier for 24 and 25 October did not reach the capital, and India.com reported IMD’s outlook keeps Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh dry on Sunday.
At 6 am on Saturday, PM2.5 was the main pollutant at 39 of 58 reporting stations. Twenty-four stations were still in the “poor” range even as the city average improved.
Also read Delhi’s Coldest October Night at 17°C; AQI to Turn Poor Again
Fewer Farm Fires Than Last Year
The improvement follows Delhi’s first “poor” day of the season on 21 October, when the AQI reached 245 and the Commission for Air Quality Management imposed GRAP Stage I across the NCR. NASA satellite data counted 545 farm fires from 1 to 23 October, 473 in Punjab and 72 in Haryana; on 23 October there were 50 fires against 708 on the same date last year. The count can miss fires lit after the satellite’s 1:30 pm pass.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the 23 October AQI of 230 compared with 305 on that date in 2025 and 364 in 2024. “The fight is far from over,” he said on X.
Clear Skies From Monday
IMD expects mainly clear skies on Monday with a high of 31–33°C. The Air Quality Early Warning System had forecast “poor” air through Sunday, so readings near the 200 line are likely to swing between the two bands over the weekend. GRAP Stage I curbs remain in force. More on the Weather Updates page.
Source: CPCB AQI bulletin and IMD New Delhi forecast. Also based on reporting by ThePrint / PTI, Business Today and Business Standard.
Image: Business Standard / PTI (file).
