Delhi air quality hits severe levels on Diwali as smog covers capital
The national capital's average AQI reached 383 on Sunday, with several monitoring stations recording readings above 400.
Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 383 at 8 am on Sunday, placing the city in the very poor category, according to News18 and Business Standard. Thick smog reduced visibility across the national capital as pollution levels rose near the severe threshold of 400.
Several monitoring stations reported severe air quality, with Jahangirpuri recording the highest AQI at 463 according to News18, while Business Standard reported a reading of 450 at the same location. Other areas with severe readings included RK Puram at 448, Punjabi Bagh at 446, and IIT Delhi, which Urban Acres noted reached 452 on Saturday.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) has forecast that pollution levels may enter the severe category from Monday. Experts attributed the deterioration to unfavourable weather, Diwali firecracker emissions, vehicular pollution, and stubble burning in neighbouring states.
The transport sector was projected to be the primary source of pollution on Sunday, contributing 19 per cent of the total, according to the Decision Support System (DSS). Stubble burning was expected to contribute 3.5 per cent to the city's pollution levels.
To manage the air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage 3 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Additionally, the Delhi government has enforced a ban on certain vehicles registered in other states that do not meet BS-VI emission standards from November 1 to January 31.