An AQI of 93, maximum temperature at 21.7°C: A big day of records for Delhi New Delhi experienced an unusual March day as a cyclonic circulation caused temperatures to drop to 21.7°C, marking the lowest maximum temperature for the month in six years. This was 9.6°C below the normal average and a 5.1°C decline from the previous day. The last time Delhi recorded such a low temperature was on March 8, 2020, when the maximum was 21.2°C. The cooler afternoon winds and favorable weather conditions also improved air quality, with the city logging an “satisfactory” air quality index (AQI) of 93. This was the cleanest air recorded in 2026 and the first “satisfactory” AQI day since October 9, 2025, when the index was 99. The last time Delhi saw cleaner air was on October 8, 2025, with an AQI of 80. Similar weather patterns were observed across Delhi-NCR. Gurugram recorded a maximum temperature of 21.8°C and an AQI of 98, while Gautam Budh Nagar, which includes Noida and Greater Noida, saw temperatures drop to 20.1°C with AQIs of 86 and 98. Ghaziabad reported a maximum of 20.3°C and an AQI of 100. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) classification, an AQI between 0-50 is “good,” 51-100 is “satisfactory,” 101-200 is “moderate,” 201-300 is “poor,” 301-400 is “very poor,” and 401-500 is “severe.” The CPCB’s early warning system predicted Delhi’s AQI would rise to the “moderate” category on Saturday and remain there for the following week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a gradual increase in maximum temperatures, with the Capital expected to see temperatures between 27-29°C on Saturday. Minimum temperatures were also projected to drop to 13-15°C, compared to Friday’s 16°C.#delhi #india_meteorological_department #central_pollution_control_board #mahesh_palawat #skymet_weather
Delhi witnessed its most polluted February in the last three years, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The city also experienced one of the hottest Februaries in the past three years, raising questions about the potential link between rising temperatures and worsening air quality. For this episode of Aaj Ka AQI, Newslaundry visited AIIMS, where the nearest monitoring station recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 169, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. However, data from the Central Pollution Control Board painted a more concerning picture, with the overall AQI in Delhi reaching 208 on Monday morning—classified as ‘poor’—indicating deteriorated air quality across multiple parts of the city. The analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) highlighted that February 2026 marked the worst pollution levels in the capital during the past three years. The report also noted that the month was unusually warm, suggesting a possible correlation between extreme weather conditions and heightened pollution. While the exact relationship remains under investigation, experts warn that rising temperatures could exacerbate air quality issues by increasing the formation of ground-level ozone and reducing the dispersion of pollutants. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to combat Delhi’s pollution crisis. The episode of Aaj Ka AQI is part of a broader collaborative campaign aimed at addressing air pollution. The initiative seeks to engage citizens in efforts to improve respiratory health and reduce environmental harm. Participants are encouraged to contribute by adopting cleaner practices and supporting policy measures designed to mitigate pollution.#delhi #centre_for_research_on_energy_and_clean_air #aiims #central_pollution_control_board #aaj_ka_aqi
