Nalgonda Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

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

Nalgonda AQI Right Now

83

Category: Satisfactory

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 45.62 µg/m³

PM10: 82.48 µg/m³

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

Nalgonda Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.545.62 µg/m³
PM1082.48 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)8.5 µg/m³
NO₂13.51 µg/m³
SO₂3.63 µg/m³
CO351.21 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Nalgonda

Satisfactory: Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

Health Impact — Nalgonda

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 2.1 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.23 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Nalgonda

  • General Population: Acceptable air quality. Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Minor breathing discomfort is possible.
  • Children: Should be fine outdoors with normal activities.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Nalgonda Air Quality

Nalgonda, the headquarters of Nalgonda district in southern Telangana, sits on the semi-arid Deccan Plateau approximately 150 km southeast of Hyderabad. The district is internationally recognised for its severe groundwater fluoride contamination - a geological characteristic that, while primarily a water quality issue, reflects the fluoride-rich geological formations that also influence the mineral composition of airborne dust. Cement manufacturing operations in the broader district, including plants at Mellacheruvu, contribute calcium-rich particulates and kiln emissions to the regional airshed.

Winter months (November–February) bring the worst air quality as the dry Deccan climate's calm conditions and reduced vertical mixing allow vehicular and construction emissions to accumulate. PM2.5 concentrations during peak months typically range from 40–70 µg/m³, placing Nalgonda in the Moderate category - relatively better than larger Telangana cities owing to its smaller vehicle fleet and limited industrial base. Post-kharif agricultural burning of cotton stalks, rice stubble, and chilli crop residues in surrounding farmlands adds seasonal smoke during November–December.

The monsoon season (June–September) delivers 600–800 mm of rainfall that washes out particulates and brings AQI into the Good range. Nalgonda's location on the rain shadow side of the Eastern Ghats means it receives less rainfall than coastal Andhra districts, resulting in drier conditions and more persistent dust during the 8-month dry season. The city's relatively small size and moderate traffic volumes keep its pollution profile manageable, but growing urbanisation and increasing vehicle ownership are gradually elevating emission levels.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Cement factory dust
  • Road dust
  • Agricultural burning
  • Construction dust
  • Waste burning

Geography: Southern Telangana on Deccan Plateau; agricultural district headquarters, cement industry proximity, known for fluoride-affected groundwater

Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February

Frequently Asked Questions — Nalgonda

What causes air pollution in Nalgonda?

Nalgonda's pollution comes from vehicular exhaust, road dust on expanding urban roads, cement factory emissions from plants in the district, post-kharif agricultural burning of cotton and rice residues, construction dust from ongoing development, and municipal waste burning. Its relatively small size keeps pollution moderate compared to larger cities.

When is air quality best in Nalgonda?

July through September during the monsoon offers the cleanest air as rainfall suppresses dust and washes out particulates. However, Nalgonda's semi-arid location means it receives less rain than coastal areas, so the clean-air window is somewhat shorter. October is transitional before winter inversions begin.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities