Delhi's AQI jumped from 65 to 216 in a day. Why pollution could worsen

Delhi's air quality has taken a sharp turn for the worse, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 216 at 10:31 am on October 17, according to AQI.in.The reading falls in the platform's "Unhealthy" category, following a brief spell of cleaner air earlier in the 24-hour period.The trend is particularly worrying as the capital moves towards winter, when changing weather conditions can make it harder for pollutants to disperse.With no rain expected over the coming days, official forecasts suggest that pollution could remain a concern. Commuters stand amidst water being sprayed to curb air pollution, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) DELHI'S AIR BECAME CLEAN AND THEN TURNED DIRTYAQI.in's hourly graph, covering 10:31 am on October 16 to 10:31 am on October 17, shows pollution levels initially falling before making a steep comeback.The AQI stood at around 135 at the start of the period, then declined through the afternoon to a low of approximately 65. The improvement, however, proved short-lived. A graph illustrating Delhi's AQI in the last 24 hours. (Photo: AQI.in) Pollution levels began rising sharply in the evening, crossing 200 and reaching a peak of around 240 overnight.After easing somewhat, the AQI climbed again on Saturday morning, reaching 216 at 10:31 am on October 17.The figures reflect AQI.in's readings and classification, but under India's official Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) scale, an AQI of 216 falls in the "Poor" category, which covers readings between 201 and 300.The labels differ between platforms, but both indicate the same thing; a deteriorating air quality. Anti-smog guns being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution. (Photo: PTI) WHY COULD DELHI'S AIR GET WORSE?The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) has forecast mainly clear skies over Delhi in the coming days, with no rain expected through October 23.Maximum temperatures are expected to remain around 31–33°C initially, rising by 2–3°C after October 17.The absence of rain means the city will miss one potential way of washing some pollutants out of the air.However, pollution levels also depend on emissions, wind speed and direction, and how effectively pollutants disperse. Vehicles move on a road amid low visibility due to a layer of smog, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) The air-quality forecast from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) offers further cause for concern. Its October 16 bulletin projected that Delhi's air quality would move into the "Poor" category on October 19 and remain there over the subsequent six-day outlook.With winter approaching, the latest readings reiterate why Delhi needs to prepare, and how quickly a window of relief can disappear.- Ends