Delhi Chokes Again As Farm Fires, Firecrackers Push AQI Up By 100 Points

News 18

Delhi woke up to yet another morning of deteriorating air quality, with a thick blanket of smog enveloping the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 307, which is classified

as “very poor”.

A day earlier, on Thursday evening, the AQI was recorded at 311, compared to a relatively better 202 in the morning, indicating a sharp deterioration in air quality over the day.

The air quality shot up by over 100 points on Thursday, worsening sharply due to smoke, stagnant weather conditions, and firecrackers burst in parts of the city on Gurpurab.

Stubble burning in neighbouring states accounted for around 9.48% of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels on Thursday — the highest contribution this winter so far. Forecasts suggest that the share could rise sharply to nearly 38% by Friday, as northwesterly winds carry smoke from crop residue fires into the capital, according to data from the Centre’s Decision Support System.

This time of the year marks one of the worst phases of Delhi’s annual winter pollution crisis. As local winds slow down and temperatures dip, smoke from stubble burning mixes with urban emissions, turning the city’s air toxic and triggering a full-blown public health emergency.

Check Area-Wise AQI On Friday (November 7, 2025)

ITO- 329

Jahangirpuri- 321

JLN Stadium- 306

Lodhi Garden-

Mundka- 336

Nehru Nagar 330

Okhla Phase 2- 301

Najafgarh- 276

Rohini- 334

Sonia Vihar- 318

Vivek Vihar- 319