Delhi AQI: Capital Breathes Toxic Air as Levels Dip to 282; Pollution Expected to Spike to ‘Severe’ Post Diwali
Delhi AQI: As the country inches towards colder days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi-NCR experiences a notable decline. The pollution levels take a big dip as it continues to be in the ‘poor’ category for the sixth consecutive day on October 19, 2025. The 24-hour average AQI was recorded as alarmingly high on Sunday at 282 at 8 am. With Diwali approaching, the festive week is expected to see a further spike due to the bursting of green firecrackers.
The national capital’s heavier air is attributed to the existing dust, calm winds, vehicular emissions, and stubble smoke, which may shoot up after Diwali. While Akshardham registered a concerning AQI of 426 under the ‘Severe’ category this morning, the air quality plummeted to 290 around Barapulla and 284 in ITO, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
#WATCH | The Air Quality Index (AQI) around Akshardham was recorded at 426, in the ‘Severe’ category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) pic.twitter.com/c8uz8mEpBU
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2025
AQI In Other Places In Delhi
The decline in the air purity is expected to continue, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System. AQI readings are categorized as follows: 0–50 (Good),51–100 (Satisfactory), 101–200 (Moderate), 201–300 (Poor), 301–400 (Very Poor), and 401–500 (Severe). The other areas that saw a sharp rise in pollution levels are:
AQI plunged to 584 under the ‘hazardous’ category in Anand Vihar, while Jahangirpuri recorded an air quality index of 316 at 8 am on October 19. The other regions include Rohini (256), Wazirpur (284), Bawana (286), ITI Shahdra (188), Vivek Vihar (298), Ashok Vihar (266), Sonia Vihar (247), Patparganj (227), Chandni Chowk (297), Okhla Phase 2 (200), Lodhi Road 2 (166), Sri Aurobindo Marg (157), and Najafgarh (187).
Air Quality In Ghaziabad, Noida And Gurugram
The neighboring cities also recorded alarmingly high AQI levels. Ghaziabad records a ‘very poor’ AQI of 324, while Noida and Gurugram register AQIs of 298 and 258, respectively, under the ‘poor’ category.
GRAP-1 In Effect Across Delhi-NCR
Earlier, on October 14, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked all actions under Stage of extant schedule of GRAP-1 in Delhi-NCR. The restrictions under the Graded Response Action were implemented to help curb pollution and protect public health during this period.
Delhi AQI Forecast For Next 2 Days
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the air quality is very likely to be in the poor category on October 19, 2025. The outlook for the subsequent two days: The air quality is expected to be in the upper end of the ‘very poor’ category on October 20 and may reach the ‘severe’ category on October 21 in case of enhanced emissions from firecrackers.
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