Delhi Breathes Poor Air As Rohini Logs AQI Of 372

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘poor’ category on Saturday, with Rohini emerging as the most polluted area, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 372, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Residents woke up to a misty and unusually warm morning as pollution levels remained a concern across several parts of the national capital.

CPCB data showed elevated AQI readings at multiple monitoring stations. Anand Vihar recorded 332, Ashok Vihar 237, Bawana 244, Chandni Chowk 276, DTU 193, Dwarka Sector-8 303, IGI Airport 229, IIT Delhi 190, ITO 126, Narela 229, Nehru Nagar 246, Patparganj 230, Pusa 209, Rohini 372, Shadipur 311, Vivek Vihar 232 and Wazirpur 297.

The decline comes a day after relatively better conditions.

On Friday, the overall AQI stood at 186 at 9 AM, placing the city in the ‘moderate’ category. Of the 39 monitoring stations, 24 reported ‘moderate’ air quality while 14 recorded ‘poor’ levels. Data from ITO was unavailable at the time.

Despite intermittent improvements, February has largely remained polluted. The capital logged 20 ‘poor’ air quality days and two ‘very poor’ days this month.

An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed that Delhi has registered its poorest February air quality in three years, with an average AQI of 234 till February 26.

The monthly average was 237 in 2023, compared to 218 in 2024, 214 in 2025 and 225 in 2022.

February has also been the warmest in the past three years. The mean maximum temperature was 27 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees above the long-period average of 24.2 degrees.

On Friday, temperatures touched 31.9 degrees Celsius, six degrees above normal and the warmest day of the season so far.

Experts attributed the heat to the absence of active western disturbances, leading to clear skies and higher daytime temperatures.

The city recorded just 0.5 mm of rainfall against the normal 21.3 mm, allowing pollutants to remain suspended.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast mainly clear skies. Skies are expected to turn partly cloudy by afternoon. Mist is likely at night, signalling an early shift towards pre-summer conditions.