Delhi AQI at 364, Air Remains ‘Very Poor’ Before Diwali

Delhi continued to experience very poor air quality on Saturday morning, a day before Diwali, with pollution forecasts indicating that conditions could deteriorate further over the festival weekend.

The capital’s Air Quality Index stood at around 364 at 8–9 am on November 7, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. The reading represented a modest improvement from Delhi’s official 24-hour average AQI of 382 at 4 pm on Friday.

18 Monitoring Stations Record Severe Air

Out of 59 operational monitoring stations cited in the morning update, 18 recorded air quality in the severe category.

PM2.5 was the dominant pollutant at most stations.

Some individual locations recorded AQI readings above 400, including IIT Delhi, Punjabi Bagh and Narela during morning updates.

Under CPCB standards:

• 0–50: Good

• 51–100: Satisfactory

• 101–200: Moderate

• 201–300: Poor

• 301–400: Very Poor

• 401–500: Severe

The citywide AQI therefore remained firmly within the “very poor” range.

Air Quality Could Turn Severe

The Delhi AQI before Diwali situation remains a concern because pollution forecasts indicate conditions could worsen during the festival period.

The Air Quality Early Warning System had forecast the possibility of Delhi’s overall air quality entering the severe category over the weekend.

Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and pollution levels are closely monitored during the festival because weather conditions and additional emissions can affect particulate concentrations.

GRAP Stage III Measures in Force

The Commission for Air Quality Management had already invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR after the city’s AQI approached the severe threshold.

The measures add stricter controls on pollution-generating activities and require authorities to strengthen enforcement aimed at preventing further deterioration.

Delhi Records Cooler Morning

Delhi also experienced a slight fall in minimum temperatures.

The Safdarjung observatory, regarded as representative of the city’s weather, recorded a minimum temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

IMD historical weather data for November 7 also lists the minimum at 16.2°C.

Lower temperatures and weaker atmospheric mixing during winter can contribute to pollutants remaining trapped closer to the surface for longer periods.

Mostly Clear Skies Forecast

The India Meteorological Department has not issued any major weather warning for Delhi over the coming days.

Mostly clear conditions are expected, with no significant weather system currently forecast to provide immediate relief from accumulated pollutants.

PM2.5 Remains Major Concern

Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, remained the leading pollutant at most Delhi monitoring stations.

These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the respiratory system, which is why prolonged exposure during very poor or severe air-quality periods is considered a public-health concern.

Pollution Expected to Remain Under Watch Through Diwali

Authorities are expected to continue closely monitoring the Delhi AQI before Diwali, particularly as weather conditions and festival-related emissions could influence pollution levels.

With the capital already recording very poor air and several locations entering the severe category, the pollution situation is likely to remain a major focus through the Diwali weekend.