Holi weekend brings rare breathable air for Delhiites as AQI recorded at 85, lowest in 3 years for Jan-March period

The Holi weekend brought not just festive colours but also rare breathable air for Delhiites. On Saturday (March 15), the city recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 85, the lowest in the last three years for the period from January 1 to March 15.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said March 15 was the first day of 2025 when the AQI remained in the ‘Satisfactory’ category, meaning that the index number remains between 50 and 100.

“Today, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 85, the lowest in the last three years for the period from 01st January to 15th March. Today’s AQI is also the first day of the current year with a ‘Satisfactory’ AQI (AQI 51-100). Delhi has witnessed a ‘Satisfactory’ AQI in the month of March, for the first time in five years since 2020,” said the CAQM in a statement.

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According to CAQM standards, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

The Indian national capital territory spent most of the winters shuffling through poor, very poor and severe category.

As winter fades, temperatures are beginning to rise.

On Friday, Delhi experienced its hottest day of the year so far, with the mercury reaching 36.2 degrees Celsius, 7.3 degrees Celsius above normal, the IMD stated.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a minimum of 19°C and a maximum of 33°C for Delhi on Saturday, along with thunderstorms and rain.

For Sunday, March 16, the IMD forecast a generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature is expected to range from a low of 17°C to a high of 32°C.

(With inputs from agencies)