Delhi and Noida blanketed by thick haze as AQI hits dangerous levels – these areas report worst air quality News24 –

By Correspondent On Nov 2, 2025

A thick layer of smog persists over Noida as the city wakes up to the dawn of 2nd November, Sunday morning. A dull grey haze covers the city, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) has slipped severely overnight.

After a brief respite on Friday, when a slight drizzle improved conditions slightly, the AQI climbed back to 292, just short of the “very poor” threshold. Officials have highlighted that fog is expected to persist on Sunday, as wind speed is likely to pick up later in the day.

#WATCH | Delhi: The AQI at the AIIMS and the surrounding areas is recorded at 421 in the ‘Severe’ category as per the CPCB. pic.twitter.com/dQYnRfR7jQ

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2025

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in Noida rose from 163 on Friday to 292 on Saturday. Sector 125, which covers part of the Noida Expressway, recorded the highest AQI at 320, falling in the very poor range, while Sector 300, Sector 116 (299), and Sector 62 (230) remained in the poor category.

AQI in Delhi

The air quality has showcased a sharp decline on Sunday, slipping into the severe category due to the combination of fog and low wind speeds that trapped pollutants. The Central Pollution Board (CPCB) reported. Several areas recorded AQI levels above 400, with Wazirpur in North Delhi and RK Puram in South Delhi registering 432 and 425 AQI levels, respectively.

At 7 a.m., the citywide AQI stood at 377, up from 233 on Saturday and 218 on Friday. Areas such as Burari (412), Bawana (413), Dwarka Sector-8 (407), Chandni Chowk (414), and Rohini (415) also fell into the ‘severe’ range. Only NSIT Dwarka (254), IHBAS, Dilshad Garden (270), and Delhi Technological University (292) recorded ‘poor’ air quality levels.

Delhi’s Safdarjung weather station reported a visibility of 900 meters with calm winds, while Palam recorded 1,300 meters with winds at 4 kmph. On Saturday night, the AQI had dropped to 303 (‘very poor’). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast shallow fog for Sunday morning, with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 31°C and humidity at 73%.

The Reason Behind the Sudden Increase in AQI

In Greater Noida, Knowledge Park III reported 263 and Knowledge Park V 256, both in the poor range. Ghaziabad showed similar levels—Vasundhra’s AQI stood at 334 and Loni at 329, both in the very poor range, while Sanjay Nagar (258) and Indirapuram (244) remained in the poor category.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) attributed the rise in pollution to a drop in wind speed and calm atmospheric conditions that trapped pollutants near the surface. Winds from the northwest blew at up to 15 kmph on Saturday afternoon but weakened to below 8 kmph by evening, allowing particulate matter to accumulate.

Predictions for Sunday

IITM forecasts a mainly clear sky with fog and shallow haze during the morning hours. Winds are expected to remain northwesterly and light early in the day, before rising to a speed of 15 kmph in the afternoon.

Starting Saturday, Delhi traffic authorities began restricting BS III goods vehicles from entering the city as part of anti-pollution measures. Barricades at Kalindi Kunj and Chilla borders allow only vehicles with valid permits. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has already prohibited BS I, II, and III commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi from November 1, while BS IV vehicles will be permitted until Oct 31, 2026.