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Air quality indexes

Delhi's Air Quality Index Shows Fastest Improvement Since 2015

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Delhi's air quality index showed its fastest improvement since 2015, slipping out of the "Very Poor" category for the first time this week, thanks to stronger Northwesterly winds dispersing pollutants that built up over the past few days. The improvement is attributed to fewer instances of farm fires and delayed harvesting in Punjab and Haryana due to recent rain and flood, which has contributed to keeping the sky clearer over Delhi. This is the first time in eight years that Delhi's AQI has shown such a rapid improvement after Diwali.

Key Takeaways:

  • Delhi's air quality index (AQI) improved from 345 (Very Poor) on Diwali to 275 (Poor) after 3 days, the fastest improvement since 2015, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
  • The improvement is attributed to stronger Northwesterly winds, fewer instances of farm fires, and delayed harvesting in Punjab and Haryana due to recent rain and flood.
  • Delhi recorded an AQI of 275 (Poor) on Friday, 305 (Very Poor) on Thursday, 353 (Very Poor) on Wednesday, and 350 (Very Poor) on Tuesday.
  • The average minimum temperature in Delhi between October 1 and 24 this year was recorded at 20.6 degree Celsius, higher than most years since 2015.
  • The presence of warmer nights has helped prevent pollutants from getting trapped close to the surface, allowing them to disperse more easily.
  • Between September 15 and October 23, 2,017 instances of stubble burning were reported from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, the lowest for this period in over a decade.
  • Punjab and Haryana reported a steep drop in stubble burning incidents, with Punjab posting 512 fires, 90% lower than its average, and Haryana reporting 58 farm fire incidents, 95% lower than its average.

Statistics:

  • Delhi's AQI improved by 70 points in 2 days, the fastest improvement since 2015.
  • The average minimum temperature in Delhi between October 1 and 24 this year was recorded at 20.6 degree Celsius.
  • The presence of warmer nights has helped prevent pollutants from getting trapped close to the surface, allowing them to disperse more easily.
  • Punjab's stubble burning incidents dropped by 95% compared to its average, while Haryana's incidents dropped by 90% compared to its average.
  • Between September 15 and October 23, 2,017 instances of stubble burning were reported from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Sources:

  • The Indian Express (P) Ltd Copyright 2025 IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD)
  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) data

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