Delhi-NCR continued to breathe polluted air on Wednesday morning, even as key pollutant levels slipped marginally. With dry weather expected to dominate the coming week, a meaningful improvement in air quality remains unlikely.
Around 7 AM, the city’s Air Quality Index stood at 373, placing it deep within the Severe bracket, according to data from aqi.in. The 24-hour trend showed a small reduction in pollution levels, but the air remained hazardous for residents.
Concerns over the Ethiopian volcanic ash cloud affecting India’s air were dismissed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which clarified that the plume travelled through the upper layers of the atmosphere and had no influence on the country’s weather or pollution.
IMD projected clear skies with shallow to moderate fog in the early hours. However, the absence of rain means pollutants are likely to stay concentrated near the surface, worsening conditions for morning commuters.
Key Pollutant Levels – November 26
PM 2.5: Dropped from 289 on Tuesday morning to 214 on Wednesday, but still many times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.
PM 10: Also declined, yet continues to remain far above global safety thresholds.
Visibility remained compromised across several parts of Delhi-NCR as smog thickened during the early hours. Health experts advise residents—especially children, senior citizens, and those with breathing issues—to limit outdoor exposure until the air quality improves.
