Delhi Records 18°C Minimum Temperature as Air Quality Deteriorates to ‘Poor’

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while the national capital’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘poor’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 233 at 9 am, according to official data.

The development marked the first ‘poor’ air quality reading of the season, according to media reports. Delhi’s AQI had largely remained in the moderate category during October, recording 187 on October 18, 139 on October 19 and 179 on October 20 before crossing the 200 mark on Wednesday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Palam registered 17.8 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees below normal, while Lodhi Road recorded 17.7 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees above normal. Ridge recorded 19.1 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degrees below normal, and Ayanagar registered 17.7 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees below the seasonal average.

The IMD forecast a maximum temperature of around 31 degrees Celsius during the day.

The rise in pollution followed Dussehra celebrations on Tuesday evening, when effigies were burnt and firecrackers were set off at several locations. Changing weather conditions and emissions from festive activities may have contributed to the deterioration in air quality.

Satellite observations also detected 182 farm fires in Punjab and Haryana during the three days leading up to October 20, according to a media report. However, satellite counts may not capture every incident.

Monitoring data from 56 of Delhi’s 59 air quality stations showed that Jahangirpuri and Pusa recorded ‘very poor’ AQI readings of 308 and 314, respectively. Meanwhile, 16 stations, including Anand Vihar, remained in the moderate category.

Under Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, AQI readings of 0–50 are classified as good, 51–100 as satisfactory, 101–200 as moderate, 201–300 as poor, 301–400 as very poor and 401–500 as severe. Lower temperatures and unfavourable wind conditions can limit pollutant dispersion and worsen air quality.