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Delhi Braces For Polluted Winter As Smog Blankets City And AQI Slips Into Poor Category
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News18•21-10-2026, 08:36
Delhi Braces For Polluted Winter As Smog Blankets City And AQI Slips Into Poor Category
- •A thin layer of smog enveloped Delhi on Wednesday morning, reducing visibility and pushing air quality into the 'poor' category as temperatures dropped.
- •The Air Quality Early Warning System predicted that Delhi's air quality would remain in the 'poor' category until Friday, October 23.
- •Station-level readings recorded alarming AQI levels at midnight, with Bawana at 273, Dwarka Sector 8 at 262, and Delhi Technological University at 248.
- •Stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana remains a major concern as the region prepares for the winter pollution season.
- •The dip in air quality follows Dussehra celebrations which featured fireworks and the burning of effigies across the city.
Key Questions Answered
Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'poor' category due to a combination of approaching winter conditions, dropping mercury levels, and ongoing stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana. Additionally, the deterioration followed Dussehra celebrations, which included the burning of effigies and fireworks.
By early Wednesday, station-level readings showed that Bawana recorded an AQI of 273, Dwarka Sector 8 reached 262, Delhi Technological University hit 248, and the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded 230.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS), Delhi's air quality was expected to dip into the 'poor' category starting Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and remain there through Friday, October 23, 2026.
