Delhi air pollution is expected to remain in the severe category for at least three days from November 7 to 9, with unfavourable weather conditions likely to restrict the dispersal of pollutants across the capital, according to the air-quality forecast cited in a report by Live Hindustan.
The city’s average Air Quality Index stood at 382 at 4 pm on November 6, placing it in the very poor category. Air quality was reported to be particularly concerning at 22 locations on Friday, although the report listed readings for 10 monitoring areas. Punjabi Bagh recorded the highest listed AQI at 453, followed by Jahangirpuri at 447 and Rohini at 444.
Other high readings included 443 at DTU, 441 at RK Puram, 440 at North Campus, 437 at Mundka, 426 at Bawana, 425 at Alipur and 408 at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Under the Central Pollution Control Board’s broad classification, AQI levels above 400 fall in the severe category, indicating a heightened risk of health impacts.
The weather forecast cited in the report points to weak ventilation as a key factor behind the expected persistence of polluted air. The ventilation index is forecast at 3,000 square metres per second on November 8 and 4,000 square metres per second on November 9. A ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second, combined with average wind speeds below 10 kilometres per hour, is considered unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants.
Light to moderate fog or mist is expected in several parts of Delhi during the mornings of November 7 and 8, while moderate fog is forecast in most areas on November 9. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures around 17 degrees Celsius. No rain is expected in the coming days, and the forecast indicates that there is no immediate major change in weather conditions likely to improve air quality.
The prolonged pollution episode also reflects how Delhi’s air quality is shaped not only by emissions but by the atmosphere’s ability to carry pollutants away. When winds are weak and ventilation remains low, emissions from transport, construction, road dust and other urban activities can remain concentrated near ground level. The supplied report does not provide a sector-wise breakdown of the sources contributing to the current readings.
The report also carried allegations from the Aam Aadmi Party that the Delhi government was manipulating AQI data. AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bhardwaj urged residents to remain alert and said that concealing the actual pollution levels could increase risks to citizens. Delhi Congress president Devendra Yadav criticised the government’s winter action plan after AQI readings crossed 400 in several areas, alleging that it had not been effective. These are political allegations and were not independently established in the supplied material.
Separately, the Delhi High Court granted lawyers living in the National Capital Region conditional permission to enter Delhi in vehicles below the BS-VI emissions standard on days when they have court work. The order was passed by Justice Amit Mahajan on a petition by the Delhi High Court Bar Association seeking relief for lawyers travelling from the NCR. The permission applies subject to the conditions set by the court.
The immediate forecast remains the key operational concern: severe air quality is expected through November 9, followed by conditions ranging between severe and very poor for another six days, according to the cited forecast.
