Parts of Delhi reel under ‘severe’ level air pollution

A view of smog engulfs India Gate as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the ‘Very Poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in New Delhi. FIle

The overall air quality of Delhi continued to be in the “very poor” category on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) morning, while parts of the city reeled under “severe” levels of air pollution, according to official data.

Parts of the city such as Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Alipur, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Vivek Vihar, and Narela witnessed “severe” level air pollution.

Many other cities and towns in north India, including Noida, Kaithal, and Hapur also witnessed “very poor” air quality, on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) morning.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was 330 (very poor) at 8 a.m. on Tuesday (November 3, 2026), as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

The overall air quality of Delhi is likely to be in the “very poor” category for two days, as per the Central government’s ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi’.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi stood at 324 (very poor) at 4 p.m. on Monday, up from 261 (poor) a day earlier, as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily bulletin, which is treated as the day’s AQI.

A higher AQI means worsening of air quality.

“Severe” level air pollution affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases, as per the CPCB.

Every winter, air pollution spikes in Delhi-NCR and many parts of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains, mainly due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speeds and a drop in temperature. Also, pollution from stubble burning during October and November and bursting of firecrackers during the festive season add to existing pollution from vehicles and dust, worsening the air quality.

New Delhi / environmental pollution / environmental issues / air pollution