Worst air pollution Rawalpindi, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Rawalpindi is very poor. AQI, NO2, and O3 are very poor; PM10 is fair; PM2.5, SO2, and PM1 are medium; CO and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 81.8/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Rawalpindi is poor. AQI improves to poor; NO2 decreases to poor; O3 decreases to poor; SO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 76.4/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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Rawalpindi's air quality reflects the flat Pakistan Punjab Leh River plain at 508 metres adjacent to Islamabad, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the vehicle density, brick kiln, and military-industrial corridor generating elevated PM2.5. The dry winter northeast monsoon concentrates emissions extensively, while the flat alluvial terrain's minimal dispersal and the shared airshed with Islamabad maintain Rawalpindi among Pakistan's more persistently challenged major metropolitan environments throughout the dry season.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Very poor
81.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
43.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
22.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Very poor
81.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Very poor
81.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
40.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
13.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
42.7/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Poor
76.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
42.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
25.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
76.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
75.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
30.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
42.1/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Rawalpindi right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Rawalpindi is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 81.8/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 81.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Rawalpindi?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Rawalpindi will be better than today, with AQI forecast at poor at 76.4/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 76.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Rawalpindi?
The biggest local contributors to pollution in Rawalpindi are traffic emissions, aircraft operations at the local air base, along with manufacturing and food processing, particularly once windblown dust events occur. Dust carried on these winds adds substantially to particulate levels. Rainfall through the monsoon usually keeps levels in check.
Are air quality levels in Rawalpindi based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app