Delhi AQI ‘very poor’ on Diwali, to turn ‘severe’ as celebrations gather pace

On Sunday, as Delhiites celebrated Diwali, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 371, placing it in the "very poor" category. Of the 59 monitoring stations, 19 were in the "severe" category, seven in "poor," and the rest in "very poor." The highest AQI was recorded at Jahangirpuri at 460. Social media users reported smelling smog and firecracker smoke, as the city's air quality neared the "severe" threshold.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines AQI ranges: 0-50 as "good," 51-100 as "satisfactory," 101-200 as "moderate," 201-300 as "poor," 301-400 as "very poor," and 401-500 as "severe." The city's average AQI for the day was 376, also in the "very poor" category. The forecast predicts a worsening of air quality to "severe" on Monday due to Diwali celebrations, increased vehicular emissions, and the peak stubble-burning season in neighboring states.

Weather and air quality experts attribute the expected deterioration to firecrackers, vehicle emissions, and unfavorable meteorological conditions, which hinder pollutant dispersion. PM2.5 was the main pollutant in the capital on Sunday, with firecracker emissions contributing to higher particulate matter levels. According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi, the transport sector would be the largest contributor to pollution on Sunday, accounting for 19%. Stubble burning would contribute 3.5% on Sunday, with around 2.99% expected on Monday.