Delhi’s brief spell of cleaner air did not last long. Pollution levels rose again on Saturday, pushing air quality back into the “very poor” and “severe” categories in several parts of the city.
A thick blanket of smog covered large areas in the morning, lowering visibility and making outdoor conditions uncomfortable for many residents.
Figures from the Central Pollution Control Board showed sharp differences across locations. Dhaula Kuan saw an AQI reading of 252, which means the air quality there was poor. Conditions were much worse in Akshardham and Anand Vihar, where AQI levels went up to 410, putting these areas in the severe pollution category. Pollution was also high around ITO, where the AQI stood at 379, classified as “very poor”.
Citywide data pointed to a clear decline. Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 332 at 4 pm on Friday, compared with 234 on Thursday.
Why pollution levels rose again
Weather conditions played a major role in the sudden spike. The India Meteorological Department said calm winds ahead of an approaching western disturbance prevented pollutants from dispersing. Winds remained weak through the early morning, so polluted air stayed trapped. They picked up slightly later in the day, reaching about 10 kmph, but this was not enough to clear the smog.
Meteorologists have warned that pollution could remain high over the next few days as more western disturbances are expected to affect the region. A yellow alert has been issued, warning of moderate to dense fog in Delhi and surrounding areas.
Cold weather is also adding to the problem. The minimum temperature in the capital is expected to remain between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius on Saturday and drop further to 5–7 degrees on Sunday, conditions that can trap pollutants close to the ground and allow smog to persist.