Delhi air quality hits very poor category as Diwali celebrations continue
Pollution levels in the national capital reached an average AQI of 371 on Sunday following the widespread use of firecrackers.
The air quality in Delhi deteriorated to the very poor category on Sunday as Diwali festivities and firecracker use increased, according to Moneycontrol. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 371 at 7pm on Sunday, up from 369 on Saturday.
Of the 59 monitoring stations providing data, 20 reported severe air quality, 31 were in the very poor category, and eight were classified as poor. Jahangirpuri recorded the highest pollution level at 464, followed by Sonia Vihar at 448 and North Campus at 446.
The pollution was driven by particulate matter, with PM2.5 identified as the main pollutant, according to PTI. The Delhi Decision Support System (DSS) projected that the transport sector accounted for 19 per cent of the city's pollution on Sunday, while stubble burning contributed approximately 3.5 per cent.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) forecast that Delhi's air could enter the severe category from November 9. Unfavourable weather, including a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second and wind speeds under 10 kilometres per hour, is expected to hinder the dispersion of pollutants.
In the surrounding regions, Noida recorded a very poor AQI of 308, while Ghaziabad and Greater Noida were in the poor category. In Haryana, Gurugram recorded an average AQI of 225, while Faridabad was moderate at 118, reported Scroll.