Delhi air quality enters severe zone as AQI crosses 400
Air pollution in the capital worsened after Diwali celebrations, with several areas recording severe levels amid thick smog and low visibility.
Delhi's air quality slipped into the severe category in parts of the capital on Monday, a day after Diwali celebrations. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported by Mint, the ITO air quality station recorded an AQI of 406 at 4:20 am on Monday.
The deterioration occurred as Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was in force across Delhi-NCR. While the city's average AQI was 368 at 7 am on Monday, several localities recorded readings above 400, including Sonia Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Punjabi Bagh, Burari, Okhla, and Rohini.
The pollution spike followed the use of firecrackers on Sunday evening. Although the Supreme Court permitted the use of green firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm, reports indicated that celebrations continued beyond this window in areas such as Pitampura, Burari, Mayur Vihar, and Lutyens' Delhi.
Thick smog reduced visibility significantly across the city. At 5:30 am, visibility at Safdarjung Airport was recorded at 50 metres, while Indira Gandhi International Airport reported 350 metres, according to Urban Acres.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) has forecast that Delhi's air quality is likely to remain in the severe category for the subsequent few days. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra alleged that a campaign was being orchestrated at Arvind Kejriwal's residence to target the festival under the pretext of pollution.