Delhi Air Quality Enters Severe Category Following Diwali Celebrations

NEW DELHI — Air quality across the Delhi-National Capital Region deteriorated sharply on Monday morning following Diwali celebrations, with the overall Air Quality Index climbing past 400 into the “severe” category in multiple areas amid heavy fog and low wind speeds.

According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI at ITO was recorded at 406 at approximately 4:20 am. Other locations in the capital registered similarly high pollution levels on Monday morning, with CPCB figures placing the Ring Road AQI at 370, RK Puram at 364, DND Flyway at 338, and Mayur Vihar at 337 in the “very poor” category. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 293, categorised as “poor”.

The severe pollution compounded dense atmospheric conditions, sharply reducing visibility across the capital. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility at Safdarjung plummeted to 50 metres at 6:30 am, marking a steep drop of 650 metres compared to 700 metres recorded at the same time the previous day. At Palam, visibility decreased from 800 metres to 400 metres alongside medium fog conditions.

Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha expressed grave concern over the worsening air quality, stating that firecrackers were burst across various parts of Delhi despite existing Supreme Court restrictions. Jha noted that official figures showed the AQI crossing 500, while readings from private monitors ranged between 1,000 and 1,500. He further pointed to World Health Organization standards, noting that particulate matter levels reached roughly 100 times higher than recommended limits in parts of Delhi on Diwali night, describing the situation as a health emergency affecting children’s health.

Looking ahead, environmentalist Vimlendu Jha warned that atmospheric conditions are expected to deteriorate further over the next three to four days, driven by falling temperatures and reduced wind speeds.