Firecrackers burst in several Delhi areas despite restrictions on Sunday
Air quality in the national capital remained in the very poor category as residents celebrated Diwali.
Residents in several parts of Delhi continued to burst firecrackers until late on Sunday, according to The New Indian Express. Reports of fireworks were received from Pitampura, Burari, Mayur Vihar, Lutyens' Delhi, and the Bishambardas Marg area, with high intensity noted in Burari.
The district magistrate (East) had previously issued an order allowing the use of green firecrackers only on November 7 and 8. These permitted timings were between 6 am and 7 am, and 8 pm and 10 pm. Additionally, the Supreme Court prohibited bursting crackers within 300 metres of silence zones, including hospitals, educational institutions, and old-age homes.
The city's air quality remained in the very poor category, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 376 for the day. At 7 pm, the instantaneous AQI was 371, while Jahangirpuri recorded the highest level at 460. Out of 59 monitoring stations, 19 were in the 'severe' category at 7 pm.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) has forecast that Delhi's air quality is likely to enter the 'severe' category starting November 9. This deterioration is expected to continue for the following few days due to meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, Diwali, and stubble-burning in neighbouring states.