Dimapur Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today
Nagaland, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5
Dimapur AQI Right Now
Category: Good
Dominant Pollutant: pm10
PM2.5: 20.33 µg/m³
PM10: 40.27 µg/m³
Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.
Dimapur Pollutant Levels
| Pollutant | Concentration |
|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 20.33 µg/m³ |
| PM10 | 40.27 µg/m³ |
| O₃ (Ozone) | 2.37 µg/m³ |
| NO₂ | 11.39 µg/m³ |
| SO₂ | 6.17 µg/m³ |
| CO | 137.55 µg/m³ |
Health Advisory — Dimapur
Good: Minimal impact on health. Great day to be outdoors!
Health Impact — Dimapur
Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 0.9 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).
Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.07 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).
Health Recommendations for Dimapur
- 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 Dimapur Air Quality
Dimapur, the largest city and commercial capital of Nagaland, occupies a strikingly different geographical setting from the state's other towns. Located in the Dhansiri River valley at approximately 150 metres elevation, it is Nagaland's only major lowland city - flat, warm, and far more urbanised than the hill settlements that define the state. With a population exceeding 120,000 and serving as the primary gateway to Nagaland (home to the state's only railway station and largest market), Dimapur generates more pollution than any other city in the state. However, by broader Indian standards, its air quality remains relatively benign.
The dry season from December through March brings Dimapur's worst air quality. The city's valley location means that temperature inversions can trap pollutants during calm winter mornings, a phenomenon that hill cities like Kohima avoid. Vehicle exhaust from heavy commercial traffic - trucks, auto-rickshaws, and buses serving the rail-to-road transfer point - is the dominant year-round emission source. Small-scale industries including rice mills, brick kilns, and workshops along the NH29 corridor add industrial particulates. Jhum cultivation smoke drifts down from surrounding hills, and open waste burning in the rapidly expanding city contributes to winter haze. Road dust from unpaved lanes and construction activity from Dimapur's ongoing commercial growth further elevate PM levels.
The monsoon (June–September) delivers heavy rainfall that cleans the atmosphere effectively, though Dimapur's flat terrain can experience waterlogging rather than the rapid drainage seen in upland towns. Post-monsoon air quality is generally good. Dimapur's primary air quality challenges relate to its role as a transport and commercial hub in a state with limited infrastructure - increasing truck traffic, unplanned commercial expansion, and the absence of waste management infrastructure are the trends to watch.
Primary Pollution Sources
- Vehicle exhaust
- Industrial emissions
- Construction dust
- Waste burning
- Road dust
- Jhum farming smoke
Geography: Largest city and commercial hub of Nagaland; located in the Dhansiri River valley at ~150m elevation - much lower and warmer than Kohima, with a flat terrain that distinguishes it from the hill cities of the state
Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March
Frequently Asked Questions — Dimapur
What is the air quality like in Dimapur?
Dimapur has moderate air quality by Indian standards, with AQI typically in the Satisfactory to Moderate range during winter months (December–March) and Good during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. As Nagaland's largest and only lowland city, it experiences somewhat higher pollution than the state's hill towns, primarily from vehicle and commercial activity.
Why does Dimapur have worse air quality than Kohima?
Unlike hill-city Kohima at 1,500m elevation, Dimapur sits in a flat river valley at just 150m. This means less natural ventilation, occasional temperature inversions that trap pollutants, and significantly more commercial traffic as the state's rail and road transport hub. Small-scale industries, higher traffic density, and valley geography combine to give Dimapur higher pollution levels than Nagaland's hill cities.
Air Quality in Nearby Cities
- Kohima AQI — Nagaland
- Jorhat AQI — Assam
- Imphal AQI — Manipur
- Tezpur AQI — Assam
- Itanagar AQI — Arunachal Pradesh
- Silchar AQI — Assam