A layer of smog over Yamuna River as the air quality remains in the ‘Very poor’ category in Delhi while cleaning process of Yamuna River underway by using a weed-harvester, in New Delhi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The air quality in Delhi deteriorated to the “very poor” category on Saturday (November 1, 2025) and expected to remain at the same level for the next six days, according to official data. Several other cities and towns across north India also recorded “very poor” air pollution levels.
“Very poor” air quality can lead to “respiratory illness on prolonged exposure”, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 303 (very poor) at 4 p.m. on Saturday, rising from 218 (poor) recorded a day earlier, the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily official bulletin showed. The CPCB’s 24-hour average AQI is considered the city’s official air quality reading for the day.
An AQI between 51 and 100 is “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 is termed as “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”, as per the CPCB.
“The air quality is very likely to remain in the Very Poor category from 02.11.2025 to 04.11.2025. The outlook for the subsequent 6 Days: The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category,” read the Central government’s ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi’ bulletin on Saturday.
Every winter, air pollution levels spike in Delhi-NCR and across the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), primarily due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speed and a drop in temperature. Pollution from stubble burning during October-November and bursting of firecrackers add to the worsening air quality.
Published – November 02, 2025 01:49 am IST
