Delhi Air Quality Improves Slightly As AQI Remains Poor

Air pollution levels in the national capital showed a slight decline on Friday morning, with Delhi’s overall AQI at 226, down from Thursday’s 241.

Despite this improvement, several parts of the city continued to experience poor air quality, compounded by a thin layer of fog that reduced visibility in multiple areas, affecting early morning commutes.

CPCB monitoring stations recorded varied pollution levels across the city. Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 261, Bawana 266, and Jahangirpuri 278.

Pusa recorded the highest pollution at 290. Other areas, including Wazirpur (265), Okhla Phase-2 (262), Sonia Vihar (262), RK Puram (271), and Chandni Chowk (240), remained in the ‘poor’ category.

Comparatively better conditions were observed at IGI Airport Terminal 3 (148) and Lodhi Road (156).

Noida sectors also saw elevated pollution, with Sector-125 at 243, Sector-1 at 228, Sector-62 at 168, and Sector-116 at 207.

Shallow fog across Delhi contributed to low visibility in the early hours. The IMD forecasted a maximum temperature of 23°C and humidity around 55 per cent.

On February 7, temperatures will rise slightly to 24°C, with fog persisting. On February 8, they may drop to 10–23°C with moderate fog.

From February 9 onward, dense fog will settle in, and minimum temperatures will fall to 9°C.

Snowfall in mountainous regions is likely to intensify fog across northern plains, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.

Dry weather is expected in other regions, with no rainfall forecasted across most plains.

This update underscores the continuing challenge of air pollution in Delhi, despite minor improvements in AQI readings.