IQAir: AQI 100-300 Across Indian Cities, Delhi Worst Hit
Air quality across major Indian cities deteriorated sharply on October 1, with the Air Quality Index ranging from 100 to 300, in the unhealthy to very unhealthy bands, according to an IQAir alert.
Agra, Asansol, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Siliguri were among the worst affected. At 10 am IST on October 1, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai ranked among the most polluted major cities in the world.
India was ranked the sixth most polluted country in IQAir’s 2025 World Air Quality Report. The country’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 48.9 micrograms per cubic metre, translating to an AQI of 134, nearly 9.8 times the World Health Organization’s guideline.
The spike comes just as the winter pollution season begins in north India, when stubble burning, low wind speeds and festival fireworks combine to trap pollutants. Health experts advise limiting outdoor activity during peak hours and using masks on high-pollution days.
Related stories
View all →
IMD predicts heavy rain in Kerala, TN, Bengal and Sikkim
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain in several states on October 9. Isolated places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry…
Hurricane Isaias to Hit Florida Tonight as Major Category 3 Storm
Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall near the Florida Panhandle on Friday evening with 111 mph winds, a 9-foot surge and…
Australia’s biggest coal plant to get 8,600 MWh battery
Origin Energy will expand the battery beside Australia's biggest coal station to 8,600 MWh, the country's largest grid battery.
Khabar 24h Editorial Desk — our explainers are prepared by the Khabar 24h editorial team using AI-assisted research tools, and every piece is reviewed by a human editor before publishing. We do not claim original reporting: our work is turning complex topics into simple, accurate summaries. Spotted an error? Write to contact@khabar24h.com — our corrections policy aims for same-day review.
More from this author →
Leave a Reply