Delhi chokes under hazardous smog as Deepavali celebrations begin

Delhi struggled with hazardous air quality on Deepavali as pollution levels surged to dangerous thresholds, with the overall AQI hovering near the 'severe' category at 383 on Wednesday morning. The toxic haze blanketed the capital as residents prepared to celebrate the festival of lights, with visibility reduced and air quality deteriorating sharply across the city.

Northern and central zones of Delhi recorded particularly alarming readings. Jahangirpuri emerged as the most polluted area with an AQI of 450, while RK Puram in south Delhi registered 448, according to data from the Sameer air quality monitoring application. These readings fall well into the 'severe' range, which begins at 401 on the AQI scale and poses serious health risks even to healthy individuals.

The severe pollution levels coincided with the festival celebrations, forcing residents and authorities to grapple with the annual challenge of managing air quality during peak pollution season. The hazardous conditions are expected to persist as meteorological conditions remain unfavorable for pollutant dispersion, with calm winds and temperature inversions trapping pollutants closer to the ground.

Health experts have advised residents in affected areas to limit outdoor activities, use air purifiers indoors, and wear N95 masks when venturing outside. The pollution spike underscores the persistent air quality crisis that grips Delhi during winter months, driven by vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and seasonal factors including crop burning in neighboring states.