Tue Dec 16 04:23:27 UTC 2025: Summary:
The air quality in Delhi, India, showed a slight improvement on December 16, 2025, moving from the “severe” and “severe plus” categories to “very poor,” according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). While the overall air quality is expected to remain in the “very poor” range for the next three days, some areas continue to experience “severe” levels of pollution. The Delhi government has already shifted classes for students up to Grade 5 to online mode in response to the poor air quality. The article notes that air pollution spikes in Delhi every winter due to meteorological factors, stubble burning, firecrackers, and vehicle emissions.
News Article:
Delhi Air Quality Improves Slightly, Remains “Very Poor”
New Delhi, December 16, 2025 – Delhi’s air quality saw a marginal improvement on Tuesday, moving out of the “severe” and “severe plus” categories into the “very poor” zone, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The improvement comes after three consecutive days of hazardous air quality. However, several individual monitoring stations, including ITO, Punjabi Bagh, and Anand Vihar, continue to report “severe” pollution levels.
The CPCB classifies air quality as “good” (0-50 AQI), “satisfactory” (51-100), “moderate” (101-200), “poor” (201-300), “very poor” (301-400), and “severe” (401-500).
The forecast indicates that the air quality will likely remain in the “very poor” category for the next three days.
In response to the consistently poor air quality, the Delhi government on Monday ordered all schools to conduct classes online for students up to Grade 5.
Delhi’s air pollution typically worsens during the winter months due to factors such as low wind speeds, falling temperatures, stubble burning in neighboring states, and emissions from vehicles and firecrackers.
Authorities are under increasing pressure to implement measures to mitigate the pollution and protect public health.
First Piper 