📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sumita Roy Dutta
Weather
Delhi battles severe smog as Sikkim enjoys some of India's cleanest air
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 04 Nov 2026, 03:04 PM
👁 24
Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated to hazardous levels due to thick smog, while monitoring stations in Sikkim report some of the cleanest air in the country this week.
Air quality monitoring agencies in the capital recorded hazardous AQI values on Monday, with dense smog reducing visibility and prompting health advisories across Delhi. The smog, driven by stagnant weather patterns and high pollutant emissions, has pushed the city’s air into the ‘very unhealthy’ bracket, urging residents to limit outdoor activities.
In stark contrast, the northeastern state of Sikkim posted some of the lowest pollution readings in the nation. Stations in Gangtok and surrounding districts reported AQI numbers well within the ‘good’ range, indicating clear skies and minimal particulate matter.
Experts attribute the disparity to geographic and climatic differences: Delhi’s flat terrain traps pollutants, while Sikkim’s mountainous landscape and abundant forest cover facilitate natural air cleansing. The contrasting readings underscore the regional challenges India faces in managing air quality.
Authorities in Delhi have urged the public to wear masks and avoid strenuous exercise, while Sikkim’s officials highlighted the need to preserve its pristine environment through sustainable development policies.
In stark contrast, the northeastern state of Sikkim posted some of the lowest pollution readings in the nation. Stations in Gangtok and surrounding districts reported AQI numbers well within the ‘good’ range, indicating clear skies and minimal particulate matter.
Experts attribute the disparity to geographic and climatic differences: Delhi’s flat terrain traps pollutants, while Sikkim’s mountainous landscape and abundant forest cover facilitate natural air cleansing. The contrasting readings underscore the regional challenges India faces in managing air quality.
Authorities in Delhi have urged the public to wear masks and avoid strenuous exercise, while Sikkim’s officials highlighted the need to preserve its pristine environment through sustainable development policies.