Overview
- Delhi’s 24-hour AQI jumped from 279 to 373 between Oct 29 and Oct 30, the worst October reading since 2022, with several hotspots entering the severe band.
- By Friday morning, the citywide AQI improved into the poor range at roughly 268–288, though locations such as Bawana and parts of northwest Delhi remained very poor.
- Hindustan Times verified the official 24-hour calculations yet flagged inconsistencies with conditions earlier in the week, noting a possible underreporting effect on Oct 28–29.
- Satellite‑model data from CAMS showed only about a 30% rise in early Oct 30 PM2.5, diverging from ground data that indicated an increase of roughly 127% at 5 am.
- IMD and IITM attributed the deterioration to stagnant conditions and a low ventilation index, DSS estimated stubble burning at about 2.6% and vehicles near 16.7%, and cloud‑seeding trials were paused due to low moisture.