Kakinada Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

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

Kakinada AQI Right Now

119

Category: Moderate

Dominant Pollutant: pm25

PM2.5: 65.49 µg/m³

PM10: 65.49 µg/m³

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

Kakinada Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.565.49 µg/m³
PM1065.49 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)19.28 µg/m³
NO₂9.35 µg/m³
SO₂2.28 µg/m³
CO525.34 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Kakinada

Moderate: Breathing discomfort to people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.

Health Impact — Kakinada

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 3 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.36 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Kakinada

  • General Population: People with respiratory or heart conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Reduce prolonged outdoor activities.
  • Children: Reduce prolonged outdoor play.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Kakinada Air Quality

Kakinada, the headquarters of East Godavari district, is a major port city on the Bay of Bengal coast that serves as the onshore hub for the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin offshore gas exploration. The city's Kakinada Deep Water Port handles significant cargo traffic, and the associated truck movements, ship emissions, and port handling dust create a persistent industrial-maritime pollution signature. A large fertiliser manufacturing complex (Nagarjuna Fertilizers) on the city's outskirts contributes ammonia, particulate, and sulphur compound emissions.

December through March sees the highest pollution levels as the post-monsoon dry spell allows vehicular and industrial emissions to accumulate. PM2.5 levels during this period typically range from 40–70 µg/m³ - moderate by Indian standards but notable for a coastal city. The Godavari delta's extensive fish catch supports a large fish processing and drying industry along the beach stretch, generating organic particulates and strong odour plumes, particularly during peak fishing season (October–March). Road dust from the expanding city - where many peripheral roads remain unpaved - adds to the ambient particulate load.

Kakinada's coastal position provides excellent natural ventilation through daily sea-breeze cycles, keeping air quality significantly better than inland cities of similar industrial intensity. The city receives ample rainfall (1,100–1,300 mm annually) from both the southwest and northeast monsoons, ensuring four to five months of clean air. Cyclonic systems from the Bay of Bengal, which frequently make landfall near Kakinada, bring intense but beneficial atmospheric flushing. Overall, the KG Basin industrial development is adding new emission sources, but coastal geography continues to provide a strong natural buffer.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Port and shipping emissions
  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Fertiliser plant emissions
  • Road dust
  • Fish processing emissions
  • Construction dust

Geography: East Godavari coast on the Bay of Bengal; deep-water port city, offshore gas exploration hub (KG Basin), Godavari delta fishing centre

Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March

Frequently Asked Questions — Kakinada

How do port and KG Basin activities affect Kakinada's air quality?

Kakinada Deep Water Port generates emissions from ship engines, cargo handling equipment, and heavy truck traffic. The onshore infrastructure supporting KG Basin offshore gas exploration - including compressor stations and support vessel operations - adds industrial emissions. During calm winter mornings, these port-area pollutants can drift into residential neighborhoods before sea breezes begin.

Is Kakinada's air quality good compared to other AP cities?

Yes, Kakinada benefits from strong coastal ventilation and ample monsoon rainfall, keeping its annual average AQI lower than inland AP cities like Kurnool or Anantapur. However, areas near the port, fertiliser plant, and fish processing zones experience locally elevated PM and odour levels, especially during winter months.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities