Delhi air quality hits severe levels on Diwali night
Twenty monitoring stations recorded severe air quality as smoke from firecrackers blanketed the capital on Sunday night.
A thick layer of smog covered Delhi on Sunday night during Diwali celebrations, causing air quality at 20 monitoring stations to reach the 'severe' category, according to the Hindustan Times. The city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 371 at 10 pm.
The haze intensified as the evening progressed, with smoke from firecrackers settling over residential areas and roads. Residents reported difficulty breathing and reduced visibility in various parts of the capital. The city's average AQI for the day was 376, which falls in the 'very poor' category.
Despite restrictions, fireworks were observed in areas including Pitampura, Burari, Mayur Vihar, and parts of Lutyens' Delhi. The District Magistrate (East) had previously issued an order permitting the use of green firecrackers only on November 7 and 8 during specific time slots.
Sonia Vihar recorded the highest pollution level with an AQI of 463, followed by Jahangirpuri. Other areas such as Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, and Rohini also remained in the 'severe' category throughout the day.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) has forecast that Delhi's air quality is likely to enter the 'severe' category from November 9 and stay there for several days. Experts have linked the expected decline to weather conditions, vehicle emissions, and stubble burning in neighbouring states.