Delhi air pollution hits hazardous levels on Diwali night
One monitoring station recorded an AQI of 1,521 as firecracker smoke and smog reduced visibility across the capital.
Air pollution in Delhi breached the hazardous category before midnight on Diwali night, with one monitoring station recording an AQI of 1,521, according to reports by Telegraph India and Urban Acres. As celebrations intensified, 20 more stations recorded air quality in the severe category. The city's average AQI for the day settled at 376, which is in the very poor category.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an AQI of 421 near AIIMS at approximately 7 am. Other areas also saw high readings, including 398 near India Gate and 344 around the Akshardham temple. In Sonia Vihar, the AQI was 463, while Jahangirpuri recorded 450.
Stations in Burari, Alipur, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, and Rohini remained in the severe category throughout the day.
Despite restrictions, residents reported bursting firecrackers in Pitampura, Burari, Mayur Vihar, and parts of Lutyens' Delhi. The District Magistrate (East) had previously permitted the use of green firecrackers only on November 7 and 8 between 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm. Residents reported difficulty breathing and reduced visibility as smoke accumulated over neighbourhoods.
Experts attributed the deterioration to vehicular emissions, Diwali celebrations, stubble burning in neighbouring states, and unfavourable meteorological conditions. The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) noted that a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second and wind speeds under 10 kilometres per hour were restricting pollutant dispersal. The EWS forecast that air quality is likely to remain in the severe category from November 9 for several days.