Delhi-NCR Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’ on Diwali, Sonia Vihar Records AQI 463; ‘Severe’ Category Likely from November 9

November 8, 2026

New Delhi: Air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday night as people celebrated Diwali, with pollution levels expected to deteriorate further and potentially enter the ‘severe’ category from November 9.

According to the Sameer app, developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 371 at 10:24 pm on Sunday. The reading falls in the ‘very poor’ category, but authorities have warned that pollution levels could rise further following Diwali celebrations.

Of the 59 monitoring stations across Delhi, Sonia Vihar recorded the worst air quality, with an AQI of 463, placing it in the severe category. Meanwhile, 33 monitoring stations reported ‘very poor’ air quality.

Noida, Ghaziabad Also Record Poor Air Quality

Pollution levels remained high in neighbouring cities as well. Noida recorded an AQI of 315, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, while Ghaziabad registered an AQI of 357.

In Haryana, Gurugram recorded an AQI of 277 and Faridabad reported 290. Both cities remained in the ‘poor’ category.

According to the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’ and 401-500 ‘severe’.

Delhi-NCR AQI May Turn Severe from November 9

The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) has warned that Delhi-NCR’s AQI could deteriorate to the ‘severe’ category from November 9 and remain at that level for the following few days.

The expected deterioration has been linked to firecracker emissions, vehicular pollution and the ongoing peak period of stubble burning in neighbouring states. Unfavourable weather conditions are also likely to make the situation worse by restricting the dispersion of pollutants.

According to the EWS, a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second, along with an average wind speed of less than 10 kilometres per hour, is unfavourable for the effective dispersal of pollutants.

PM2.5 remained the predominant pollutant in Delhi on Sunday, with firecracker emissions adding to the concentration of particulate matter in the air.

Transport Sector Biggest Contributor to Delhi Pollution

According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi, the transport sector was expected to be the largest contributor to the city’s pollution on Sunday, accounting for 19 per cent of the total.

Stubble burning was estimated to contribute 3.5 per cent on Sunday, while its contribution was forecast to remain around 2.99 per cent on Monday.