Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Delhi Air Quality Moderate as Several Areas Record Poor Levels
Delhi’s air was rated moderate overall on Monday, but some neighborhoods had poorer air.
Air monitors measure pollution and report it using an Air Quality Index, or AQI.
In one afternoon report, 14 of 43 monitors recorded poor air quality.
Mundka had the highest reading in that report, while Delhi Cantonment had the lowest.
The article says rain and strong winds had earlier helped clear pollution.
Slower winds, no rain and pollution from local sources have contributed to worsening air.
Dust and tiny particles from burning are among the pollutants mentioned.
The report says air pollution often gets worse around this time of year.
It also notes that smoke from several sources can add to winter pollution.
Delhi’s overall air quality was in the moderate category on Monday, while several monitoring stations recorded poor levels.
In the average 4 p.m. bulletin, 14 of 43 operational monitoring stations were in the poor category.
Mundka recorded an AQI of 273 in that bulletin; Delhi Cantonment recorded the lowest, at 97.
CPCB data put Delhi’s average AQI for the first four days of October 2026 at 174.5, compared with 119.75 in 2025.
The report links worsening conditions to slower winds, no rain and local emissions, with PM10 among the pollutants and PM2.5 identified as a key concern.
- Who
- Delhi residents and the Central Pollution Control Board, which reported the air-quality readings.
- What
- Delhi’s overall air quality was moderate, while several monitoring stations recorded poor air quality.
- When
- Monday; the article also compares average AQI readings for the first four days of October 2020–2026.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- The article attributes the renewed deterioration to declining wind speeds, lack of rain and local emissions.
- Overall category
- Moderate on Monday
- Poor-category stations
- 14 of 43 operational stations in the average 4 p.m. bulletin
- Highest reading in that bulletin
- Mundka: AQI 273
- Lowest reading in that bulletin
- Delhi Cantonment: AQI 97, satisfactory
- October 2026 average
- 174.5 for the first four days of October
- October 2025 average
- 119.75 for the first four days of October
- AQI categories
- Good: 0–50; satisfactory: 51–100; moderate: 101–200; poor: 201–300; very poor: 301–400; severe: 401–500