Delhi Air Quality Worsens Ahead of Diwali, Several Areas Reach “Severe” Levels

Delhi: The air quality in Delhi remained poor for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, with multiple areas slipping into "very poor" and "severe" categories as Diwali approaches. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 274 at 5:30 am, placing the city in the "poor" bracket.

By 7 am, several monitoring stations recorded alarming levels. Anand Vihar registered the highest AQI at 426 ("severe"), while RK Puram (322) and Vivek Vihar (349) were in the "very poor" category. Other areas including Ashok Vihar (304), Bawana (303), and Jahangirpuri (314) also remained "very poor."

The Delhi NCR mirrored this trend. Loni (Ghaziabad) recorded an AQI of 341, while Noida's Sector 125 and Gurugram's Sector 51 both registered 342, indicating widespread pollution across the region.

Weather Forecast and Precautions

The India Meteorological Department predicted clear skies on Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 33°C. Morning fog or mist is expected to clear by midday. Authorities advised residents to limit outdoor activities due to ongoing pollution. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts AQI levels to remain between "poor" and "very poor" in the coming days.

Contributing Factors

Transport emissions contributed 15.6% to Delhi's pollution load, according to the Decision Support System. Experts warn that vehicular emissions, stubble burning, and festive firecrackers could push AQI into the "severe" zone.

CPCB Standards:

• 0-50: Good
• 51-100: Satisfactory
• 101-200: Moderate
• 201-300: Poor
• 301-400: Very Poor
• 401-500: Severe

As Diwali approaches, authorities continue urging caution, recommending residents avoid firecrackers and limit outdoor exposure to prevent further deterioration in air quality.