Delhi Braces for Severe Smog as Western Disturbance Approaches

As of November 4, 2025, Delhi's air quality has remained in the 'very poor' category for the third straight day. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 309 on the afternoon of November 4, a slight improvement from the previous day's reading of 366.

However, the outlook for the coming days is not promising. Forecasts from the Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS) predict that the air quality is very likely to deteriorate further, reaching the 'severe' category on November 5. This is due to an approaching western disturbance, which is expected to lead to stagnant winds and increased moisture in the air, creating a perfect recipe for a fresh layer of smog.

Meteorologists have warned that the combination of calm winds and higher humidity levels will exacerbate the pollution situation in the national capital. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, noted that wind speeds, which had picked up over the weekend, are expected to drop again on November 5 and 6, leading to a further buildup of pollutants.

The Decision Support System (DSS), which provides a breakdown of Delhi's pollution sources, was not updated on November 4, leaving residents without the latest information on the contributors to the city's air quality woes. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, which runs both the EWS and the DSS, did not respond to requests for comment.

As the capital braces for another bout of severe air pollution, residents will be hoping for a swift improvement in the coming days, with forecasts suggesting that stronger northwesterly winds may return from November 6, potentially leading to a dip in night-time temperatures and a possible improvement in air quality.