Outside the usual range17 September 2026Environment
Odisha: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 17 September 2026 was 114, above the 4-year median of 93 for the same week (+22%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 17 September 2026
- 114
- That day alone: 150
- 4-year median, same week
- 93
- Change
- +21
- Change, per cent
- +22%
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 94, 2024 96, 2023 92, 2022 57. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 September 2026 | 150 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 17 September 2026 (245 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–12, Index Value column: highest of 14 city rows placed in Odisha — Brajrajnagar, S.No 52 (p.3), Moderate |
| 16 September 2026 | 137 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 16 September 2026 (233 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–10, Index Value column: highest of 14 city rows placed in Odisha — Cuttack, S.No 66 (p.4), Moderate |
| 15 September 2026 | 142 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 15 September 2026 (231 cities) | AQI bulletin p.2–10, Index Value column: highest of 12 city rows placed in Odisha — Cuttack, S.No 64 (p.4), Moderate |
| 14 September 2026 | 80 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 14 September 2026 (235 cities) | AQI bulletin p.2–11, Index Value column: highest of 14 city rows placed in Odisha — Paradeep, S.No 174 (p.9), Satisfactory |
| 13 September 2026 | 121 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 13 September 2026 (233 cities) | AQI bulletin p.2–11, Index Value column: highest of 14 city rows placed in Odisha — Rourkela, S.No 192 (p.10), Moderate |
| 12 September 2026 |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 17 September 2026 (245 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
More signals for highest city air quality index in Odisha
- Odisha: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 3 October 2026 was 163, above the 4-year median of 98 for the same week (+67%).
- Odisha: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 2 October 2026 was 149, above the 5-year median of 110 for the same week (+35%).
- Odisha: highest city air quality index of 231 on 2 October 2026 is the highest since 1 June 2026.
- Odisha: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 23 September 2026 was 103, below the 3-year median of 131 for the same week (−22%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, Odisha: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 17 September 2026 was 114, above the 4-year median of 93 for the same week (+22%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 17 September 2026 (245 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/worst-city-aqi--odisha--2026-09-17--baseline_breach
See also Odisha and 150 AQI in context.