Air pollution worsens in India's national capital, AQI nears 400 morning after Diwali

After celebrating Diwali, people of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up on Friday to a thick blanket of toxic smoke and “very poor” air quality.

There was a complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi, despite that, the air quality worsened in and around India’s capital as people defied the restrictions and relentlessly bursted firecrackers on Diwali night, leading to severe noise pollution and reduction of visibility.

Reports of widespread violation of firecracker ban were received from across east and west Delhi with firecrackers lighting up the sky in areas including Jaunapur, Punjabi Bagh, Burari and East of Kailash.

Delhi Air Quality day after Diwali

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in Delhi’s Anand Vihar at 6 am on November 1 was in the “very poor” category, with an air quality index (AQI) of 395.  

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The air quality at RK Puram too was worse with 395 AQI.

On Thursday night, Anand Vihar saw the AQI plunge into the “severe” category while PM2.5 concentrations soared, creating hazardous conditions for respiratory health.

AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

Several places in neighbouring state Haryana also reported AQI in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories on Diwali night on Thursday (October 31).

The AQI level in most of the 40 monitoring stations in Delhi remained in the “very poor” category.    

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Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has predicted that the air quality in Delhi is likely to be in the “very poor” category on Friday.

After last year’s Diwali, Delhi recorded its best air quality on the festival day in eight years, with the average AQI at 218.

New Delhi is among India’s worst cities for air quality. The air quality in the national capital is due to combined issues including unfavorable weather conditions, stubble burning in neighboring states, vehicle emissions and local pollutants.  

Delhi has been witnessing “very poor” air quality on Friday, despite Environment Minister Gopal Rai announcing on Diwali eve that 377 teams were formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the capital city.  

As per reports, a senior Delhi Police officer had said all deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) were asked to form dedicated teams to ensure that firecrackers are not burst in their respective districts.

With inputs from agencies