
Delhi Faces Worst Air Quality at Night as October Pollution Rises
What Happened?
On October 21, at 1 am, 45 of Delhi's 53 air quality monitors reported Poor or worse air quality. The average PM2.5 level was 191.2 micrograms per cubic meter, marking the dirtiest hour of the week.
Key points
- Delhi's average PM2.5 level at 1 am on October 21 was 191.2 micrograms, classified as Very Poor.
- The city recorded 45 Poor or worse readings out of 53 monitors.
- October 20's daily air quality index was 179, categorized as Moderate.
- The average PM2.5 level for October 1-20 was 154.6, compared to 178.7 in 2025.
- Nights have the worst air quality, with an average of 80.4 micrograms at midnight.
- Farm fires in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are currently low, with only 506 fires reported from October 1 to 20.
Key insights
- The significant rise in PM2.5 levels during nighttime suggests a need for urgent air quality management.
- The low number of crop fires indicates that other pollution sources are contributing to the deteriorating air quality.
- Continued poor air quality forecasts may lead to increased health advisories for vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
The worsening air quality could impact public health and increase respiratory issues among residents.
Source
India Today


