Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Delhi Air Quality Improves Slightly to 'Very Poor' But Remains a Health Concern
The air in Delhi is still quite dirty, even though it got a little better on Friday.
It's called 'very poor' now, just missing the 'severe' warning.
This means many places in the city still have pollution that's not good for breathing.
This has been happening for a few days, and experts think it might get bad again soon.
Some parts of the city are much worse than others, with pollution levels that are actually 'severe.'
This happens because the air doesn't move much, trapping the pollution close to the ground.
Even the highest court in the country is worried.
A judge told the lawyers that the air is so bad it could hurt them permanently, and suggested they stay home and use computers to talk instead of coming to court.
He also mentioned that just wearing masks might not be enough to stay safe from the yucky air.
Delhi's air quality improved to 'very poor' with an AQI of 399 on Friday, narrowly missing the 'severe' category.
This marks a slight improvement after three consecutive days of severe air quality in the capital.
The Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts the AQI to remain 'very poor' from Friday to Sunday and potentially return to 'severe' in the following week.
Twenty-five monitoring stations reported 'severe' pollution levels, while 11 were in the 'very poor' category.
The Supreme Court advised lawyers to use virtual hearings due to hazardous air quality, warning of permanent health damage from toxic air.
- Who
- Residents of Delhi and lawyers in the Supreme Court
- What
- Delhi's air quality improved slightly to the 'very poor' category (AQI 399) after three days of 'severe' levels, while the Supreme Court advised virtual hearings due to health risks from toxic air.
- When
- Friday, November 14, with the Supreme Court's advisory issued on Thursday, November 13.
- Where
- Delhi, with specific AQI readings provided for various areas and 25 stations reporting severe pollution.
- Why
- Unfavorable atmospheric conditions trapping pollutants near the ground, coupled with ongoing sources of pollution, contributed to the air quality remaining in the 'very poor' to potentially 'severe' range.
Air Quality Status
Health Advisory
Pollution Levels
Air Quality Status
Delhi's AQI recorded 399 at 7 am on Friday, just one point shy of the 'severe' category, placing it in the 'very poor' category. This marks an improvement after three days of severe air quality, but the outlook suggests it may return to severe levels.
Health Advisory
The Supreme Court advised lawyers to attend court virtually due to hazardous air quality, with Justice P S Narasimha warning of permanent damage from toxic air, noting that masks alone might not offer sufficient protection.
- Current AQI (Friday 7 AM)
- 399 (Very Poor)
- AQI Range: Very Poor
- 301-400
- AQI Range: Severe
- Above 400
- Stations in Severe Category (AQI > 400)
- 25
- Stations in Very Poor Category (AQI 301-400)
- 11
- Forecasted AQI (Friday-Sunday)
- Very Poor category
- Long-term AQI Outlook
- Very Poor to Severe category for the subsequent six days
Sources
Mumbai Weather Update: City Sees Sunny Skies With Cool Breeze & Haze; AQI Remains In Unhealthy Range At 233, Wadala & Colaba Worst Hit
Delhi: ‘Severe’ air pollution recorded at 27 of city’s 39 monitoring stations
No respite from pollution woes: Delhi’s AQI stays in ‘severe’ category for third day
Delhi AQI today: City chokes under ‘Severe’ smog; air pollution crosses 450 in many areas
No respite from pollution woes: Delhi's AQI stays in 'severe' category for third day
