Delhi Records AQI of 85: Cleanest Air from Jan-March in Three Years

Delhi Records AQI of 85: At last, the city of Delhi reported an average air quality index (AQI) of 85 on Saturday--the cleanest air witnessed by the capital in a long time, marking the lowest ever for the January to mid-March period in the past three years.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also stated that it was the first satisfactory AQI day of the year 2025. Posting on X, the Commission wrote: "Delhi has witnessed ‘Satisfactory’ AQI in the month of March for the first time in five years since 2020."

As per the CBPC, an AQI falling within the ranges of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and from 401-500 'severe'.

Also Read: Parineeti Chopra Proudly Calls Herself ‘Harvard Wife’ as Husband Raghav Chadha Completes Leadership Program

Meanwhile, by evening, as recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from its air quality index monitor, Anand Vihar air quality monitor recorded an AQI reading of 80. The lowest AQI across the capital for the day stood at Alipur inasmuch recorded till 7 pm with a "Good" level of air quality at a score of 48.

A minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius along with thunderstorms and rain were forecasted for Delhi on Saturday by the India Meteorological Department.

By March 16, Sunday, the forecast of the weather department states the possibility of a generally cloudy sky, with light rain, lesser minimum temperature of about 17 degrees Celsius, and maximum hanging about 32 degrees Celsius.

GRAP Stage-1 revoked

Because of the enhanced quality of air, CAQM also lifted the restrictions under Stage 1 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GARP).

The panel's order read, "AQI of Delhi has shown significant improvement due to favourable winds, light rain/drizzling and improved meteorological conditions prevailing in Delhi-NCR. The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 85 for March 15, 2025 (in the 'Satisfactory' category). Further, the forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts AQI to mainly remain in 'Satisfactory to Moderate' category in coming days."

CAQM also ordered all concerned agencies to ensure that the AQI levels in Delhi-NCR remain better and do not slip into the 'poor' category.

Also Read: John Abraham Expresses Desire to Collaborate with Akshay Kumar on New Comedy Film

Weather forecast for other states

With the onset of summer, temperature and thermometers are soaring in India. Ainapur Hobli, located in Kalaburagi district, northern Karnataka, recorded a maximum temperature of 42.8 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours.

According to IMD forecasts, maximum temperatures are likely to increase by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the next five days over north Interior Karnataka.

A heat wave warning is also issued for isolated places during the period of March 18-19. Though not dramatic changes were scheduled for the conditions in southern Interior Karnataka.

More or less, isolated to scattered light or moderate rainfall, accompanied thunderstorm and lightning, is expected in March 15 and 16 for Delhi's neighbor states like Punjab, Haryana Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Also Read: PM Modi, Trump, Musk, Meloni & Virat Kohli Drenched in Holi Colours in Viral AI-Generated Video