Stories
Delhi Air Pollution: First Week Of October Most Polluted In Three Years
C
CNBC Awaaz•07-10-2026, 22:52
Delhi Air Pollution: First Week Of October Most Polluted In Three Years
- •Delhi recorded a significant decline in air quality during the first week of October following the withdrawal of the monsoon.
- •The average Air Quality Index for the first seven days of October stood at 171, marking the highest level for this period in three years.
- •According to CREA data, this figure is also the second highest recorded in the past six years.
- •Unfavorable weather conditions and low wind speeds are hindering the dispersion of pollutants in the region.
- •Data from the IARI showed multiple stubble burning incidents across states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Key Questions Answered
During the first seven days of October 2026, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 171, marking the highest level for this specific period in the past three years.
A ventilation index of less than 6,000 square meters per second alongside an average wind speed of less than 10 kilometers per hour are considered unfavorable for the dispersion of pollutants.
According to data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), a total of 70 stubble burning incidents were recorded on Wednesday, including 15 in Punjab, 11 in Uttar Pradesh, 7 in Rajasthan, and 37 in Madhya Pradesh.
