Post-Diwali Delhi Chokes: Hazardous Air Quality Plunges Capital into ‘Red Zone’

Delhi’s air quality plummeted to hazardous levels on Diwali night, with fireworks pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the ‘Red Zone’. Several areas recorded ‘Severe’ pollution, the city’s overall AQI at 344, categorised as ‘Very Poor’. Authorities implemented GRAP Phase II, urging caution and public transport use to mitigate the escalating crisis.

New Delhi’s air quality plummeted to alarming levels on Diwali night, as widespread firecracker displays pushed the capital’s atmosphere into a hazardous ‘Red Zone’. Most monitoring stations across the city registered severe pollution, with Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) averaging 344, placing it firmly in the ‘Very Poor’ category. Critically, several hotspots, including Dwarka (417), Ashok Vihar (404), Wazirpur (423), and Anand Vihar (404), recorded AQI levels exceeding 400, signifying ‘Severe’ air quality.

The 24-hour average AQI, reported at 345, marked a notable increase from the previous day’s 326, indicating a rapid deterioration. Forecasters anticipate the air quality to further worsen, potentially reaching ‘Severe’ across a broader expanse of Delhi in the coming days.

While Diwali fireworks are a significant immediate contributor to this spike, underlying factors also exacerbate Delhi’s chronic air pollution. Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) on Monday revealed transport emissions accounted for 15.6% of the city’s air pollution, with industrial and other sources contributing 23.3%.

In proactive measures, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had already activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR. Authorities have renewed their appeals to residents to refrain from excessive firecracker use and to embrace public transport options to help mitigate the severe environmental burden on the city.

Source: Jagran