Delhi's Air Quality Plunges to 'Very Poor' as Diwali Festivities Loom

The National Capital Region faced hazardous air conditions on Diwali Sunday, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 376—dangerously close to the 'severe' threshold of 400. A dense layer of smog reduced visibility across the city, affecting residents and triggering health concerns among vulnerable populations.

Monitoring data revealed widespread pollution across Delhi's 59 air quality stations. Of these, 12 stations recorded 'severe' category readings, while 22 reported 'very poor' levels. Jahangirpuri emerged as the worst-affected area with an AQI of 463, underscoring the uneven distribution of air pollution across the city.

The Air Quality Index climbed incrementally from 369 on Saturday to 376 on Sunday, reflecting a deteriorating trend. Meteorological conditions, combined with festival-related activities, have compounded the problem. The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecasted that conditions may worsen to 'severe' on Monday as lingering Diwali smoke combines with vehicular emissions and stubble-burning activities from adjoining agricultural regions during the peak harvest season.

Environmental experts attribute the seasonal deterioration to multiple converging factors: regional stubble burning, local vehicular traffic, industrial emissions, and weather patterns that trap pollutants near the surface. The forecasted worsening underscores the need for immediate air quality management interventions.