Delhi air worsens again: AQI 368 'very poor', 22 stations severe, further deterioration forecast

Air quality in the Indian capital deteriorated again on November 5. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 368 in the morning, in the 'very poor' category, with 22 monitoring stations recording severe levels, including 416 at Nauroji Nagar Ring Road. Forecasts say the air could deteriorate further to the severe category on November 6-7. (Cover photo is a file image of smog in New Delhi during Diwali on November 4.)

Wednesday was already the worst in 288 days; stubble burning a fifth of pollution

On Wednesday (November 4), Delhi's AQI rose to 377 and settled at 378, the worst reading since January 20 and the worst in 288 days. Decision Support System (DSS) data showed transport emissions contributed 15.5 percent of Wednesday's pollution and stubble burning 20.2 percent. Punjab recorded 584 stubble-burning incidents in a single day on November 3, a new high for the year. The Air Quality Early Warning System expects the air to remain 'very poor' on Friday and possibly deteriorate to the severe category on November 6-7.

Minister visits control centre as Delhi and Punjab trade blame

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Shastri Park on Thursday morning to monitor air pollution. The BJP-led Delhi government and the AAP-headed Punjab government traded blame over responsibility for the pollution; Sirsa said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had lied the previous day about paddy harvesting. With Diwali approaching, the worsening air has raised health concerns; doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi reported a rise in patients with worsening respiratory conditions as well as newly appearing cough, throat irritation and breathlessness.

(Sources: The Daily Jagran / ANI, November 5, 2026; data: Central Pollution Control Board.)