Delhi weather update: Air quality poor, Stage 1 of pollution curbs enforced

While the rainfall brought brief respite from heat and suspended dust, the air quality index across the Capital remained in the ‘poor’ category. The average AQI was 278 as of 2 pm, marginally better than Thursday’s 292.

On Friday evening, the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. It noted in its order that the expected improvement in air quality didn’t take place due to meteorological conditions such as strong, variable winds.

“Owing to strong and variable winds, expected improvement in AQI was not observed, and AQI of Delhi was recorded marginally lower at 278 on 16.05.2025. The forecast by IMD/IITM has also predicted the AQI to be in the lower range of ‘poor category’ on 17.05.2025,” read the order.

The effects of a surge in dust-laden winds were felt sharply across the city on Friday.

Wazirpur recorded the worst air quality with PM 10 levels peaking at 847 µg/m³ —over eight times the safe limit of 100. PM 2.5 concentrations also remained extremely high at 248 µg/m³, well above the 24-hour permissible limit of 60.

Stations in Anand Vihar, Rohini, and Bawana-Pooth Khurd also reported PM 10 levels above 500 µg/m³.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has forecast poor AQI on Saturday as well, with improvement expected only from Sunday.

The week ahead

The sudden weather change in Delhi was attributed to a convective system – an intense, localised weather phenomenon characterised by the rapid upward movement of warm and moist air. This convective activity over Rohtak moved southeastward, entering Delhi and NCR, causing thunderstorms, gusty winds, and localised rainfall.

Safdarjung, representative of the Capital, logged 1.4 mm of rainfall. The highest rainfall was recorded at Ayanagar (7.2 mm), followed by Ridge (3 mm), Pusa (2.5 mm), Pitampura (2 mm), Lodi Road (1.3 mm), Najafgarh and Narela (1 mm each) and Palam (0.3 mm).

The maximum temperature on Friday was recorded at 42.3 degrees Celsius, around two notches above normal, whereas the minimum was close to normal at 26.2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the Met department said rain and thunderstorms will bring down temperatures in the coming six days. A thunderstorm with wind has been forecast for Saturday, and strong surface winds have been forecast during the day on Sunday.

A lack of heat in the atmosphere, as partly cloudy skies are forecast from May 19 to 22, also means that the maximum and minimum temperatures would gradually decrease.

The IMD has said that it would hover around 25 to 38 degrees Celsius, and on May 22, there is a possibility of rain or thunderstorms.

Delhi, meanwhile, recorded the highest peak power demand in the summer season so far this year, as the temperature soared on Friday. The real-time figures of the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) showed that the peak demand was 6,867 MW at 3.17 pm.

This year, the peak power demand of Delhi is expected to cross 9,000 MW. Previously, an all-time high peak demand in the Capital was recorded at 8,656 MV in 2024.