Srinagar Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

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

Srinagar AQI Right Now

31

Category: Good

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 12.81 µg/m³

PM10: 30.81 µg/m³

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

Srinagar Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.512.81 µg/m³
PM1030.81 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)0.74 µg/m³
NO₂4.71 µg/m³
SO₂1.06 µg/m³
CO235.78 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Srinagar

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

Health Impact — Srinagar

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 0.6 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.02 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Srinagar

  • 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 Srinagar Air Quality

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, occupies a unique position in India's air quality landscape. Nestled in the Kashmir Valley at 1,585 metres elevation, bounded by the Zabarwan and Hari Parbat ridges, the city experiences some of the country's most severe winter temperature inversions. The valley-floor geography, combined with the surrounding Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan ranges, creates a sealed bowl where cold air - and pollutants - become trapped for days during the harsh Chillai Kalan (40-day deep winter) period.

November through February brings alarming pollution levels driven primarily by domestic heating. Unlike most Indian cities where vehicles and industry dominate, Srinagar's winter emissions are overwhelmingly residential: kangri (personal fire-pot) charcoal burning, bukhari (room heater) wood and coal combustion, and kerosene heaters collectively create a dense low-level smoke blanket. PM2.5 concentrations regularly exceed 200 µg/m³ during prolonged foggy periods, with Dal Lake's moisture amplifying the haze effect. The carbon monoxide risk from indoor kangri and bukhari use is a serious additional health hazard.

Spring and summer (April–September) offer dramatically better conditions as heating demand drops, valley ventilation improves with thermal winds, and the lush greenery along the Jhelum and around Dal Lake provides natural air filtration. The monsoon influence is modest (650 mm rainfall) compared to peninsular India but sufficient for seasonal improvement. Srinagar's challenge is fundamentally a winter heating one, requiring clean heating solutions for a cold-climate city.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Domestic heating (kangri charcoal, wood, kerosene)
  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Road dust
  • Construction dust
  • Waste burning
  • Brick kilns (seasonal)

Geography: Kashmir Valley floor at ~1,585 m elevation; Dal Lake basin surrounded by Zabarwan range, severe winter inversions in valley topography

Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February

Frequently Asked Questions — Srinagar

Why is Srinagar so polluted in winter despite low industrialisation?

Srinagar's winter pollution is driven by domestic heating: millions of kangris (charcoal fire-pots), bukharis (wood/coal room heaters), and kerosene heaters burn throughout the sub-zero Chillai Kalan period. The Kashmir Valley's bowl-like topography traps these ground-level emissions under severe temperature inversions, creating hazardous concentrations despite minimal industrial activity.

Does Dal Lake affect Srinagar's air quality?

Indirectly yes - Dal Lake's moisture enhances fog formation, which combines with smoke to create a dense smog layer that persists longer than dry-condition inversions. The lake-effect humidity keeps pollutants suspended close to ground level. However, in summer, the lake and surrounding Mughal gardens provide beneficial cooling and air filtration.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities