Delhi residents faced another day of severe air pollution on November 24, 2025, as the capital's air quality index (AQI) reached hazardous levels, creating a thick blanket of smog across the city.
Critical Pollution Levels Recorded
According to data from private tracker AQI.in, Delhi's AQI was recorded at a dangerous 559 on Sunday. However, the government's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) reported a slightly lower, yet still severe, reading of 397. Visual reports described dense smog obscuring buildings and roads, reducing visibility significantly.
The situation was particularly dire in several neighborhoods. Ashok Vihar recorded an AQI of 702, while Maidan Garhi suffered an extreme AQI of 734. Other severely affected areas included Surya Nagar (595), Vasant Vihar (519), and West Sant Nagar Burari (629). The pollution crisis extended to the National Capital Region, with Ghaziabad (536), Noida (529), Greater Noida (607), and Gurugram (406) all experiencing unhealthy air quality.
Health Impacts and Equivalent Exposure
The health implications are alarming. AQI.in calculated that breathing Delhi's air is currently as harmful as smoking 11.8 cigarettes per day. This comparison is based on continuous exposure to the average PM2.5 concentration over the past 24 hours.
The PM2.5 concentration measured 331 µg/m³, dramatically exceeding the World Health Organization's safe limit of 15 µg/m³. This means current PM2.5 levels in New Delhi are 22.06 times above the WHO recommended guideline.
According to WHO guidelines, exposure to such high levels of PM2.5 can lead to serious health conditions affecting both cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Government Response and Health Advisory
In response to the escalating crisis, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has tightened Delhi-NCR's pollution-response framework under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Several measures that previously took effect only when AQI reached the 'Very Poor' category will now be implemented when air quality enters the 'Poor' category.
This includes provisions for staggered office timings, expanded public transport services, and work-from-home options being triggered at lower pollution thresholds than before.
Health authorities have issued a strict advisory urging residents to minimize outdoor exposure and wear N-95 masks when going outside is necessary. All outdoor workouts, including jogging, running, and yoga, should be avoided. Schools across the city have already suspended outdoor activities.
The advisory strongly recommends using air purifiers at home and in vehicles when available and seeking immediate medical attention for any breathing difficulties.
