Outside the usual range20 August 2026Environment
Kerala: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 20 August 2026 was 112, above the 5-year median of 90 for the same week (+25%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 20 August 2026
- 112
- That day alone: 103
- 5-year median, same week
- 90
- Change
- +22
- 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 highest city air quality index, lower is better. This movement is therefore assessed as a deterioration.
Historical context
Same week in earlier years: 2025 111, 2024 56, 2023 86, 2022 90, 2021 94. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 2026 | 103 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 August 2026 (255 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: highest of 4 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor, S.No 81 (p.5), Moderate |
| 19 August 2026 | 135 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 19 August 2026 (254 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: highest of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor, S.No 85 (p.5), Moderate |
| 18 August 2026 | 123 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 18 August 2026 (252 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: highest of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor, S.No 83 (p.5), Moderate |
| 17 August 2026 | 90 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 17 August 2026 (245 cities) | AQI bulletin p.4–12, Index Value column: highest of 2 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor, S.No 80 (p.4), Satisfactory |
| 16 August 2026 | 116 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 16 August 2026 (248 cities) | AQI bulletin p.5–12, Index Value column: highest of 3 city rows placed in Kerala — Eloor, S.No 82 (p.5), Moderate |
| 15 August 2026 | 141 |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 August 2026 (255 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
More signals for highest city air quality index in Kerala
- Kerala: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 29 September 2026 was 107, above the 5-year median of 75 for the same week (+42%).
- Kerala: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 25 September 2026 was 89, above the 5-year median of 73 for the same week (+23%).
- Kerala: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 29 August 2026 was 72, below the 5-year median of 97 for the same week (−26%).
- Kerala: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 27 August 2026 was 80, below the 5-year median of 100 for the same week (−20%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, Kerala: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 20 August 2026 was 112, above the 5-year median of 90 for the same week (+25%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 August 2026 (255 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/worst-city-aqi--kerala--2026-08-20--baseline_breach
See also Kerala and 103 AQI in context.