On Saturday, Delhi experienced its cleanest air in a long time, with the city registering an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 85. This marked the lowest AQI in the past three years for the period between January and mid-March.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also highlighted that it was the first day of 2025 to see a “satisfactory” AQI. On X, the CAQM shared, “Delhi has witnessed a ‘Satisfactory’ AQI in March for the first time in five years since 2020.” According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI classification is as follows: 0-50 is considered ‘good,’ 51-100 is ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 is ‘moderate,’ 201-300 is ‘poor,’ 301-400 is ‘very poor,’ and 401-500 is ‘severe.’
As of 7 pm on Saturday, the Anand Vihar air quality monitor recorded an AQI of 80. The lowest AQI of the day was observed in Alipur, which recorded a ‘Good’ air quality level of 48.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted a minimum temperature of 19°C and a maximum of 33°C for Delhi on Saturday, along with thunderstorms and rain. For Sunday, March 16, the IMD forecasted a generally cloudy sky with light rain. The minimum temperature was expected to be around 17°C, while the maximum was predicted to be 32°C. Due to the improved air quality, the CAQM also lifted the restrictions under Stage 1 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP).
The CAQM stated, “The AQI of Delhi has shown significant improvement due to favorable winds, light rain, and better meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR. The AQI for March 15, 2025, was recorded at 85, placing it in the ‘Satisfactory’ category.” The forecast from IMD/IITM suggests that the AQI will mostly remain in the ‘Satisfactory to Moderate’ range in the coming days.
The CAQM has urged all relevant agencies to maintain these improved AQI levels and prevent the air quality from deteriorating into the ‘poor’ category. Meanwhile, as summer approaches, temperatures are rising across India. In northern Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district, the village of Ainapur Hobli recorded a maximum temperature of 42.8°C in the last 24 hours.
According to the IMD, the maximum temperatures in north Interior Karnataka are expected to increase by 2-4°C over the next five days. A heatwave warning has also been issued for isolated areas of the region on March 18 and 19. However, no significant temperature changes are expected in southern Interior Karnataka.
For Delhi’s neighboring states—Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan—the IMD predicted isolated to scattered light or moderate rainfall, along with thunderstorms and lightning, on March 15 and 16.
