Delhi Records Best Air Quality in 3 Years; AQI Drops to 85

Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index AQI of 85 on Saturday, marking the lowest level in the last three years for the period between January 1 and March 15. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM, this was the first day of 2025 when the AQI fell under the ‘Satisfactory’ category 51-100. The commission also noted that this is the first ‘Satisfactory’ AQI recorded in March since 2020.

Meanwhile, as winter recedes, temperatures have begun to rise across India. Ainapur Hobli, a village in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district, recorded a maximum temperature of 42.8 degree in the last 24 hours—the highest in the country.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that temperatures in North Interior Karnataka will rise by 2 to 4 degree C between March 15 and 17. A heatwave warning has been issued for March 18 and 19, with extreme conditions expected in isolated pockets of the region. Other areas, including Bidar, Bagalkote, Raichur, Yadgir, and Vijayapura, also recorded temperatures above 40-degree C.

On the other hand, Delhi-NCR saw a brief weather shift on Friday, as parts of South Delhi experienced light rain and dark skies. The IMD has forecasted a partly cloudy sky with a chance of isolated light showers over Northwest India in the coming days.