Delhi awoke to another toxic blanket of smog on November 13, 2026, as its air quality plummeted back into the "severe" zone. More than half of the city's monitoring stations, specifically 34 out of 59, registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 400, plunging millions into hazardous conditions.
The pollution levels peaked sharply at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi station, which recorded the highest AQI in the city at a staggering 488, primarily driven by PM10 particles. Other major hotspots also reported alarming figures, including Chandni Chowk at 479, North Campus (Delhi University) at 478, Pusa at 469, and NSUT Jaffarpur at 459.
Understanding the 'Severe' Category
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) metrics, an AQI reading between 401 and 500 is classified as "severe." This level of pollution indicates serious health risks even for healthy individuals and severely impacts those with pre-existing conditions, urging residents to take extreme precautions.
This sharp deterioration follows a brief, one-day respite on November 12, when Delhi's average AQI stood at 323, categorized as "very poor." Neighboring cities across the National Capital Region (NCR) fared only marginally better by early morning on November 13, with Ghaziabad logging an AQI of 377, Noida recording 369, and Gurugram registering 349, all still in hazardous ranges.
Contributing Factors to Delhi's Smog Crisis
Delhi has struggled to shake off the toxic haze since Diwali, trapped by persistent stagnant weather conditions that offer little immediate relief. A significant contributor to this crisis is the ongoing stubble burning in neighboring agricultural states.
- Farm Fires: Data from NASA satellites recorded 4,107 stubble burning incidents across Punjab and Haryana between October 1 and November 12. This included 3,729 fires in Punjab and 378 in Haryana, with 96 fresh blazes detected on November 12 alone. This total closely mirrors the 4,220 farm fires detected during the exact same period last season.
- Stagnant Weather: Meteorological conditions, characterized by low wind speeds and temperature inversions, trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing their dispersion and exacerbating the smog.
Weather Outlook and Official Response
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that foggy conditions will persist during the morning hours, giving way to partly cloudy skies and clearer daytime conditions later in the week. Temperatures are expected to hover with maximums reaching 28°C to 30°C and minimums dipping between 16°C and 18°C. However, authorities have not issued any special weather warnings for the capital during this current spell, leaving residents to grapple with the suffocating haze as immediate meteorological relief remains elusive.