Delhi Avoids Sharp Pollution Rise After Dussehra with Timely Rains

As of October 3, 2025, Delhi has managed to avoid a sharp rise in pollution levels following the Dussehra festivities. The city recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 88, placing it in the "satisfactory" category and breaking a 21-day streak of moderate or higher AQI readings.

This improvement in air quality is largely attributed to a favorable weather pattern, with rainfall in the morning and scattered evening showers, coupled with consistent winds of around 15 km/h. Meteorologists noted that these conditions helped prevent pollutants from accumulating, as opposed to previous years when post-Dussehra pollution spikes have been common.

In 2022, a similar weather pattern had led to the AQI improving from 211 on Dussehra day to 79 the following day. However, trends show that such improvements have not always been the case. Last year, the AQI jumped from 155 on Dussehra to 224 the next day, while in 2023 it rose from 220 to 243. The city's worst post-Dussehra AQI in recent years was recorded on October 26, 2020, when it touched 353, classified as "very poor".

Experts believe that without the timely rainfall and consistent winds, Delhi's pollution levels would have been much higher in the aftermath of the Dussehra celebrations. As the winter season is yet to set in, the current weather conditions have played a crucial role in dispersing the pollutants and maintaining satisfactory air quality in the city.