Delhi air pollution reaches severe levels on Diwali
The city's average air quality index rose to 376 on Sunday as smog and firecracker emissions impacted visibility.
Delhi's air quality reached the severe category on Diwali, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an AQI of 421 near AIIMS at approximately 7 am on Sunday, according to Urban Acres. The city's average AQI rose to 376 from 369 on Saturday, remaining in the very poor category.
Several monitoring stations reported severe air quality, including Jahangirpuri, which recorded the highest reading of 463. Other areas such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, saw an AQI of 452, while readings near India Gate and the Akshardham temple were 398 and 344 respectively.
The Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi indicated that transport was the largest pollution contributor on Sunday, accounting for 19 per cent. Stubble burning contributed 3.5 per cent to the pollution levels.
Experts attributed the worsening conditions to a combination of vehicle emissions, Diwali celebrations, and crop-residue burning in neighbouring states. Low wind speeds of under 10 kilometres per hour and a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second have also hindered the dispersal of pollutants.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi has forecast that conditions are likely to remain in the severe category from November 9 for several days.