Outside the usual range1 October 2026Environment
Kerala: average air quality index over the 7 days to 1 October 2026 was 70, above the 5-year median of 55 for the same week (+25%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 1 October 2026
- 70
- That day alone: 70
- 5-year median, same week
- 55
- Change
- +14
- Change, per cent
- +25%
Why it matters
Daily figures mostly reflect the weather, so the observatory compares the mean of the last seven days with the same week in up to five earlier years. A breach means this week sits well outside what those years would lead you to expect, and by at least 15%. It is reported when an unusual run begins and for the latest day while it lasts, not every day.
For average air quality index, lower is better. This movement is therefore assessed as a deterioration.
Historical context
The number being averaged changed (about 3 now against 5 in earlier years), so part of this reflects which places are measured. Same week in earlier years: 2025 61, 2024 55, 2023 55, 2022 64, 2021 55. Daily values are compared as 7-day means because a single day mostly reflects weather.
The underlying data
| Period | Value | Release | Where in the document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | 70 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 1 October 2026 (247 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: mean of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor (p.5), Thiruvananthapuram (p.12), Thrissur (p.12) |
| 30 September 2026 | 71 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 30 September 2026 (255 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: mean of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor (p.5), Thiruvananthapuram (p.12), Thrissur (p.12) |
| 29 September 2026 | 70 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 29 September 2026 (252 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: mean of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor (p.5), Thiruvananthapuram (p.12), Thrissur (p.12) |
| 28 September 2026 | 66 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 28 September 2026 (238 cities) | AQI bulletin p.4–12, Index Value column: mean of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor (p.4), Thiruvananthapuram (p.11), Thrissur (p.12) |
| 27 September 2026 | 67 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 27 September 2026 (235 cities) | AQI bulletin p.4–11, Index Value column: mean of 4 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor (p.4), Kannur (p.6), Thiruvananthapuram (p.11), Thrissur (p.11) |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 1 October 2026 (247 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, Kerala: average air quality index over the 7 days to 1 October 2026 was 70, above the 5-year median of 55 for the same week (+25%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 1 October 2026 (247 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/air-quality-index--kerala--2026-10-01--baseline_breach
See also Kerala and 70 AQI in context.