Delhi records 3rd worst Diwali pollution since '21, data gaps cloud full picture
More than half the air quality stations in the national Capital stopped reporting air quality data around midnight.
Delhi recorded its third worst Diwali pollution since 2021, according to data from air quality stations. The air quality index (AQI) reached severe levels, with many stations going dark around midnight, hindering a consistent comparison of pollution levels over time. About 80% of functioning stations reported air quality in the severe range from 10 PM on Diwali night until 6 AM the following morning.
At 9 PM, 61% of the 57 reporting stations had an AQI of 400 or more. The peak PM2.5 sub-index averaged 655 across six stations that have reported data for most of Diwali's peak hours in all years since 2021. This was the third highest peak pollution level, with only 2021 and 2025 being worse. The air quality was particularly bad in the early hours of the morning after Diwali, with two hours being second highest after 2021.
Favorable weather conditions likely contributed to the relatively lower pollution levels. Abhishek Jha, Assistant Editor-Data at Hindustan Times, analyzed the data and highlighted the impact of firecrackers and weather on air quality.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
