Ahead of Diwali, air pollution levels in Delhi have surged, with eight monitoring stations in the capital now reporting ‘very poor’ air quality.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 278 at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, a rise from the previous day’s AQI of 268, placing the city in the ‘poor’ category overall.
Among the 36 monitoring stations reporting, eight stations, including Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur, recorded AQI readings categorised as ‘very poor’.
This critical level, CPCB notes, indicates high levels of pollutants likely to affect health.
Recent AQI levels in Delhi reflect the trend: on Monday, the city’s AQI reached 304, moving into the ‘very poor’ category, while Sunday saw levels peaking at 359.
Although slight improvements have been observed due to favourable wind conditions, air quality remains a pressing concern as Diwali festivities approach.
CPCB's AQI scale categorises air quality as follows: between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and above 401 ‘severe’.
Delhi’s weather conditions have not yet shifted into winter, with temperatures remaining warmer than usual.
The city’s minimum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 21°C, nearly 5 degrees above seasonal averages, and relative humidity was measured at 83% in the morning.
Clear skies and a maximum temperature of around 36°C are expected throughout the day.
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