Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Delhi Faces Worst July Air Quality Amid Heavy Rains
Delhi had a very bad air quality in July 2026, the worst in six years.
Even though it rained a lot, the rain came in big bursts and not every day, so the air didn't get cleaned as well.
A dust storm from Central Asia made the air even dirtier on July 12 and 13.
The city had a very clean day on July 9, the first clean day in nine years.
The bad air was also helped by dust coming from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Delhi recorded an average AQI of 119 in July, the worst in six years.
The month saw a rare "good" air quality day on July 9 with AQI 48, the first such day in nine years.
Dust storms from Central Asia on July 12-13 pushed daily AQI to 261, the highest in five years.
Despite 254.7 mm of rainfall, 26% above normal, the lack of sustained showers allowed pollution to accumulate.
Transboundary dust from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran contributed to the high pollution levels.
- Who
- Delhi residents
- What
- worst average air quality in six years
- When
- July 2026
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- heavy monsoon rains but dry spells, dust storms, and transboundary dust
- Average AQI (July 2026)
- 119
- Highest daily AQI (July 2026)
- 261
- Rainfall (July 2026)
- 254.7 mm
- Cleanest day AQI
- 48
- Year of previous worst average AQI
- 2019