Gurgaon’s air quality showed a brief improvement on Monday after slipping into the “very poor” category earlier in the week, but experts have warned that the relief may be short-lived. According to official data, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 240, placing it in the “poor” category.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app shows that Gurgaon had registered an AQI of 333 on January 4 and 244 on January 3, while the air quality was relatively better on January 2 with an AQI of 187. The latest readings indicate a marginal improvement, though pollution levels remain a cause for concern.
Among the city’s four monitoring stations, Sector 51 and Vikas Sadan recorded AQI levels of 288 and 254 respectively, both falling in the “poor” category. Teri Gram also reported “poor” air quality with an AQI of 213, while NISE Gwalpahari showed slightly better conditions, recording a “moderate” AQI of 198.
Health experts caution that prolonged exposure to air in the “poor” category can cause breathing discomfort, especially for children, senior citizens, and individuals suffering from respiratory ailments. They advise residents to remain cautious and limit outdoor activities during periods of high pollution.
Forecasts from the Decision Support System for Delhi-NCR suggest that air quality across the region is expected to remain largely in the “poor” to “moderate” range over the coming days. While a brief improvement to “moderate” levels is predicted on January 6, pollution is expected to worsen again, slipping back into the “poor” category on January 7 and 8. The six-day outlook further indicates that air quality may deteriorate to “very poor” levels thereafter.
Weather conditions are also expected to contribute to pollution buildup. From January 6 to 8, the region is likely to experience mostly clear skies accompanied by shallow morning fog. Maximum temperatures are forecast to remain between 18°C and 20°C, while minimum temperatures may range from 6°C to 8°C, dipping further to around 5°C on January 8. Winds are expected to blow from the northwest at speeds of 8 to 22 kmph during the day, weakening by evening.
The DSS has projected that maximum mixing depths will remain around 1,000 to 1,150 metres between January 5 and 8. The ventilation index, which helps determine how effectively pollutants disperse, is expected to decline from approximately 6,500 m²/s on January 5 to around 3,800 m²/s by January 8. Experts note that a ventilation index below 6,000 m²/s combined with low wind speeds is unfavourable for pollutant dispersion, allowing pollution to linger in the air.
Authorities have advised residents to closely monitor AQI levels and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during pollution spikes. Similar trends were observed in Delhi, where air quality improved from “very poor” to “poor” due to stronger winds. On Monday afternoon, Delhi recorded an AQI of 244, down from 307 the previous day, with meteorological officials attributing the improvement to consistent winds that helped disperse pollutants.