Outside the usual range23 August 2026Environment
Meghalaya: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 23 August 2026 was 51, above the 3-year median of 25 for the same week (+100%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 23 August 2026
- 51
- That day alone: 45
- 3-year median, same week
- 25
- Change
- +25
- Change, per cent
- +100%
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 10, 2023 30, 2022 25. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 August 2026 | 45 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 23 August 2026 (251 cities) | AQI bulletin p.11, Index Value column: highest of 1 city row placed in Meghalaya — Shillong, S.No 218 (p.11), Good |
| 22 August 2026 | 42 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 22 August 2026 (258 cities) | AQI bulletin p.12, Index Value column: highest of 1 city row placed in Meghalaya — Shillong, S.No 221 (p.12), Good |
| 21 August 2026 | 48 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 21 August 2026 (258 cities) | AQI bulletin p.11, Index Value column: highest of 1 city row placed in Meghalaya — Shillong, S.No 219 (p.11), Good |
| 20 August 2026 | 53 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 August 2026 (255 cities) | AQI bulletin p.11, Index Value column: highest of 1 city row placed in Meghalaya — Shillong, S.No 218 (p.11), Satisfactory |
| 19 August 2026 | 78 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 19 August 2026 (254 cities) | AQI bulletin p.3, Index Value column: highest of 1 city row placed in Meghalaya — Byrnihat (Meghalaya), S.No 59 (p.3), Satisfactory |
| 18 August 2026 |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 23 August 2026 (251 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
More signals for highest city air quality index in Meghalaya
- Meghalaya: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 3 October 2026 was 132, above the 3-year median of 25 for the same week (+427%).
- Meghalaya: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 15 September 2026 was 154, above the 4-year median of 20 for the same week (+655%).
- Meghalaya: highest city air quality index of 23 on 28 August 2026 is the lowest since 3 February 2026.
- Meghalaya: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 16 August 2026 was 125, above the 3-year median of 23 for the same week (+445%).
- Meghalaya: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 6 August 2026 was 111, above the 5-year median of 20 for the same week (+455%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, Meghalaya: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 23 August 2026 was 51, above the 3-year median of 25 for the same week (+100%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 23 August 2026 (251 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/worst-city-aqi--meghalaya--2026-08-23--baseline_breach
See also Meghalaya and 45 AQI in context.