Delhi's air quality: 22 days of 'very poor' and counting

India Dec 22, 2025

Delhi hasn't seen a single moderate air day (AQI below 200) this December—down from six last year.
On a recent Sunday, the city's average AQI was a troubling 461, with every monitoring station reporting very poor or worse levels.

Why does it matter?

Air quality even hit hazardous levels at two stations this month, peaking at an AQI of 500—one of the worst since 2015.
Experts say weak winds and chilly weather are trapping pollution close to the ground, making it tough to breathe and risky for everyone's health.

What's being done—and what's next?

All construction in Delhi-NCR is now banned under emergency rules to help clear the air.
But don't expect quick relief: forecasts say the "very poor" air will stick around for at least another week, so it's smart to limit outdoor activities if you can.