Delhi Air Quality Slips to ‘Very Poor’Again ; AQI Hits 353 (Dec 2025)

Delhi’s air quality has taken a sharp downturn as the city struggles with a combination of plummeting temperatures and stagnant winds. On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened to 353, up from 332 the previous day. Dense fog has further exacerbated the situation, trapping pollutants close to the ground and reducing visibility at major hubs like Anand Vihar and IGI Airport.

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The Current Pollution Crisis

Out of 38 functional monitoring stations, several have breached the ‘Severe’ (400+) threshold. The deteriorating air quality coincides with the revocation of GRAP-4 restrictions just 48 hours ago, prompting concerns from environmentalists. In response, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has called for high-level meetings to explore the resumption of shared taxi services to reduce vehicular load.

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Key Figures: Delhi Air Quality & Sources (Dec 27, 2025)

Contributors and Regional Impact

Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) highlights that local and regional factors are equally to blame for the current smog:

• Vehicular Load: Transport remains the biggest internal polluter at nearly 20%.

• Regional Drift: NCR districts, particularly Jhajjar (20%) and Sonipat (4%), are contributing significantly to Delhi’s pollution load due to northwesterly wind patterns.

• Winter Inversion: A “fresh feeble Western Disturbance” and low mixing heights (approx. 800m) are preventing the natural dispersion of smoke and dust.

IMD Weather & Health Advisory

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for the region. Residents are advised of the following:

1. Dense Fog: Moderate to dense fog is expected to persist through December 30, potentially affecting rail and air travel.

2. Health Warning: Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, should avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

3. Temperature: The minimum temperature is hovering around 8.6°C, with cold wave conditions likely to intensify ahead of the New Year.

Conclusion

With the AQI forecast to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category for at least the next six days, the Delhi government is under pressure to re-invoke stricter Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures. Residents are encouraged to use public transport and report illegal waste burning via the Air Sewa or SAMEER apps.

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Disclaimer: AQI data is based on real-time readings from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as of 1:00 PM, December 27, 2025. Air quality can fluctuate hourly based on local wind speeds and humidity.

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