Delhi was shrouded in a thick fog on the morning of Saturday, November 2, 2025, as the city’s already dismal air quality deteriorated dramatically with an overall Air Quality Index across 7 am of 377. AQI readings in various areas of the national capital to beyond 400, qualify as “severe” pollution, signaling dangerous low air quality. Low visibility due to heavy fog and smog overhead only heightened an already difficult situation, leading to health problems and trouble breathing.
Current Air Quality Situation
According to the data report of the Central Pollution Control Board, in Delhi, neighborhoods such as Ashok Vihar, Burari Crossing, Chandni Chowk, Jahangirpuri, and Wazirpur recorded AQI levels at over 400 level, labeling them as “severe”. The AQI was 421 at the AIIMS and 432 at Wazirpur. Other zones with high pollution levels are RK Puram 425, Bawana 410, Rohini 409, and Dwarka 401 . Additionally, out of the 38 monitoring stations, very poor for 26, while poor flights 12.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The sharp drop in air quality, according to meteorologists, was triggered by a concoction of foggy conditions and abysmally low wind speeds, resulting in pollutants being unable to dissipate. The lack of winds caused the air pollutants to stagnate very near the ground, pushing up pollution levels. The Safdarjung observatory recorded visibility going down all the way to 900 meters, while Palam hit 1,300 meters. Winds of around 4 kmph have been blowing in the city all day up to the time of writing. Furthermore, apart from the peak of stubble burning activities in neighboring states still not in full scale due to delayed burning by floods, locally, sources such as vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the burning of waste have greatly fueled the pollution buildup.
Health and Environment Impact
The toxic air brings potential health dangers, especially to children, the elderly, and those with prior respiratory issues. Unless peaking wind or rain action interrupts in the next few days, experts said the risk of air pollution is expected to stay very poor to serious. Not only does the pollution affect vision, but it also increases the risk of chronic lung illnesses, heart disorders and deteriorates living circumstances in the capital and additional National Capital Region enclaves like Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, all showing similar bad air quality.
Weather Forecast and Outlook
Today, the India Meteorological Department predicts shallow fog in Delhi and expects the day temperatures will reach a maximum of 31°C and a minimum of 18°C. The air quality early warning system estimates that the ‘very poor’ air quality condition will prevail from November 2 to November 10 and will probably continue beyond November 10 until there is a significant weather change.
In brief, people living in Delhi are going through a tough time with bad air quality made worse by early winter fog and still weather. As pollution levels reach dangerous levels, they need to be careful and take steps to protect their health.