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Delhi Kicks Off October with Worst AQI in Four Years After Clean September
M
Moneycontrol•02-10-2026, 06:42
Delhi Kicks Off October with Worst AQI in Four Years After Clean September
- •Delhi recorded its most polluted start to October in four years on Thursday, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 166, placing it in the 'moderate' category.
- •The last time Delhi recorded a higher AQI on October 1 was in 2022, when the index stood at 186, according to a CREA analysis.
- •Out of 44 air quality monitoring stations, 37 recorded 'moderate' air quality, five reported 'poor', and only two remained 'satisfactory'.
- •Worst-affected areas included IIT Delhi (248), Jahangirpuri (218), Dwarka Sector 8 (214), and Narela (205), all in the 'poor' category.
- •Despite the current rise, September was one of Delhi's cleanest in recent years, with a monthly average AQI of 102, the lowest September average in five years.
Key Questions Answered
Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index of 166 on Thursday, marking its most polluted start to October in four years and placing the city in the 'moderate' category.
Out of 44 monitoring stations, five reported 'poor' air quality, including IIT Delhi with an AQI of 248, Jahangirpuri at 218, Dwarka Sector 8 at 214, and Narela at 205.
Low wind speeds and poor ventilation conditions are slowing the dispersion of pollutants, causing them to build up near the ground following a clean September.
