Delhi Air Quality to Worsen: 10 Shocking Signals It Will Slip to ‘Very Poor’ from December 11
Delhi’s air quality is set to deteriorate sharply from December 11, entering the ‘very poor’ category
The overall air quality of Delhi continued to be in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) and it is likely to worsen to the ‘very poor’ from Thursday (December 10, 2025), according to official data.
“The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category from 11.12.2025 to 13.12.2025. The outlook for the subsequent 6 Days: The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category,” said the Central government’s ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi’.
Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 259 (poor) at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (December 10, 2025), slightly down from 282 (poor) a day earlier, as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily official bulletin, which is considered as a day’s official AQI. A higher AQI means an increase in air pollution.
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.
Every winter, air pollution spikes in Delhi-NCR and many parts of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), mainly due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speed and a drop in temperature. And pollution from stubble burning during October-November and bursting of firecrackers worsens it.
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) said that 15 out of 79 road stretches maintained by different government authorities were found to have “high dust intensity” during inspections, and authorities have been directed to fix them.
“A total of 79 road stretches were inspected across the roads of the three agencies (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA)). Geo-tagged, time-stamped photographs were collected and submitted to the Commission as part of the consolidated inspection report. As per the final compiled data, 15 road stretches exhibited high visible dust levels, 36 showed moderate dust, 22 recorded low dust intensity and 6 stretches were found to have no visible dust,” the CAQM said in a statement.
The Commission said that road dust continues to significantly impact particulate matter levels in Delhi and emphasised the need for strengthened on-ground action, including regular mechanical sweeping, timely disposal of collected dust, maintenance of road shoulders and central verges in addition to deployment of water-sprinkling or dust-suppression systems across all stretches maintained by these agencies.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a statement that CM Rekha Gupta and the entire Cabinet are working in “action mode” to provide relief to the city’s residents.
“Following the directions of the Chief Minister, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (Environment Department) has issued three strict orders aimed at effectively curbing air pollution and controlling dust across the capital. These include stringent prohibitions as well as penalties. The orders impose a strict ban on the use of coal and wood in tandoors, prohibit roadside storage, sale and transportation of construction materials, and mandate immediate fines for open burning of waste and other materials,” the CMO said in a statement.
Most of these measures are already recommended by the CAQM as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of short-term emergency measures to control air pollution
Delhi is once again bracing for a dramatic dip in air quality, with pollution levels expected to plunge into the ‘very poor’ category from December 11. As winter deepens and climatic conditions turn sluggish, the national capital faces a combination of environmental, seasonal, and human-driven factors that are setting the stage for another harsh pollution episode. Here is a detailed breakdown of the 10 most alarming indicators pointing toward the upcoming decline, along with what residents must prepare for.
Meteorologists warn that wind speeds are expected to fall sharply from December 11. Slow wind movement traps pollutants closer to the ground, preventing fresh air from dispersing toxic particles.
Pollution monitoring agencies predict a surge of up to 30–40% in harmful PM2.5 and PM10 particles. These microscopic pollutants are known to enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
With nights getting colder, temperature inversion becomes more frequent. This creates a thick blanket of smog across the Delhi-NCR region, making mornings especially hazardous for outdoor activities.
With the festive and wedding season in full swing, traffic volume rises significantly. More vehicles on the road mean more nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate emissions — all major contributors to winter pollution
Despite regulatory guidelines, construction activity continues across several pockets of Delhi. The dry winter air further worsens the situation by circulating dust and debris, elevating overall pollution.
Industries around Delhi are expected to operate at full capacity during this period. Reduced wind speed and cold air trap industrial emissions, allowing pollutants to linger for longer durations
Although stubble burning has reduced compared to previous months, residual plumes from Punjab and Haryana continue to drift toward Delhi, adding an external layer of pollution that worsens the local AQI.
Increased humidity, especially during early mornings, combines with pollutants to form dense smog. This severely reduces visibility and increases the toxic load in the air.
Delhi’s concrete landscape retains heat during the day and releases it slowly at night. This phenomenon traps pollutants close to the surface, intensifying smog formation during winter.
As temperatures fall, many households turn to heaters, wood burners, and biomass for warmth. These sources release harmful pollutants, adding to the already deteriorating air quality.
The anticipated shift to the ‘very poor’ category means people with respiratory issues, senior citizens, children, and heart patients are at high risk. Breathing such air can cause:
Shortness of breath
Throat and eye irritation
Chronic coughing
Wheezing
Fatigue and headaches
Experts strongly advise limiting outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours.
To stay safe during this period, Delhi residents should:
Wear N95 or N99 masks outdoors
Use air purifiers at home
Keep windows closed during early morning and late night
Avoid exercise or jogging in open spaces
Stay hydrated and include immunity-boosting foods
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