Imphal Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

Manipur, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5

Imphal AQI Right Now

47

Category: Good

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 24.07 µg/m³

PM10: 46.67 µg/m³

Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.

Imphal Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.524.07 µg/m³
PM1046.67 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)1.24 µg/m³
NO₂11.89 µg/m³
SO₂4.98 µg/m³
CO250.72 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Imphal

Good: Minimal impact on health. Great day to be outdoors!

Health Impact — Imphal

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 1.1 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.09 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Imphal

  • General Population: Air quality is satisfactory. Enjoy outdoor activities.
  • Elderly: No special precautions needed.
  • Children: Great day for outdoor play.
  • Lung Disease Patients: No restrictions on outdoor activities.

Understanding Imphal Air Quality

Imphal, the capital of Manipur, sits on the floor of the oval-shaped Imphal Valley at approximately 780 metres elevation, almost entirely surrounded by hill ranges reaching 1,500–2,500 metres. This topographic bowl creates atmospheric dynamics similar to Nepal's Kathmandu Valley - temperature inversions during winter nights trap ground-level emissions with limited escape routes, while daytime heating of hill slopes creates some convective ventilation. The valley's unique geography makes Imphal particularly vulnerable to pollution accumulation despite its relatively small urban footprint.

Winter months (November–February) bring the worst air quality as the cold, calm conditions enhance valley-floor trapping. Domestic biomass burning (firewood and agricultural waste for heating and cooking) contributes significantly to PM2.5 during this period, as does jhum (shifting) cultivation burning on the surrounding hillsides. The combination of topographic trapping and biomass smoke can push AQI into the Poor range (NAQI 200+) during severe winter evenings. Vehicle emissions on the limited road network - particularly the congested Imphal-Dimapur NH-2 corridor - add to the trapped pollution.

The monsoon season (May–September) delivers heavy rainfall (1,200–1,500 mm) that dramatically improves air quality, bringing consistently Good AQI. The subtropical valley climate supports lush vegetation during the growing season, and the same hills that trap winter pollution also act as a barrier against large-scale transboundary pollution. Post-monsoon October sees a rapid transition as jhum burning resumes on hillsides and cooler temperatures begin the inversion cycle. Northeast India's air quality monitoring infrastructure is limited, making Imphal's actual pollution levels potentially underreported.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Road dust
  • Domestic biomass burning
  • Construction dust
  • Waste burning
  • Jhum (shifting) cultivation burning

Geography: Imphal Valley floor surrounded by hills at ~780m elevation; state capital, valley geography creates trapping, subtropical climate

Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February

Frequently Asked Questions — Imphal

What is the most polluted month in Imphal?

December and January are typically the most polluted months, with AQI occasionally reaching the Poor range (NAQI 200+) during calm winter evenings. The Imphal Valley's bowl-shaped topography traps emissions from domestic biomass burning, vehicle exhaust, and jhum cultivation smoke on surrounding hillsides, creating conditions similar to Kathmandu Valley.

What causes air pollution in Imphal?

Imphal's pollution is driven by its unique valley-bowl topography that traps emissions during winter inversions. Key sources include domestic biomass burning (firewood for heating and cooking), vehicle exhaust on the limited road network, jhum (shifting) cultivation burning on surrounding hillsides, construction dust, and open waste burning. The encircling hills prevent horizontal dispersion of ground-level pollutants.

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