Residents of Delhi, Noida, and surrounding areas awoke to a dense layer of toxic smog on Thursday morning, marking yet another post-Diwali decline in air quality.
In Anand Vihar, the air quality index (AQI) measured a hazardous 395 at 6 a.m., placing the capital firmly in the “very poor” category.
Motorists navigate through dense smog in New Delhi on 1 November 2024, as post-Diwali pollution levels surged, prompting renewed concerns over air quality.
Amid the pollution, areas like Burari Crossing and RK Puram recorded AQI levels nearing 400, with PM2.5 and PM10 particulates soaring to levels harmful to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues.
Despite enforcement teams deployed across the city, several localities defied the firecracker ban, causing a notable surge in pollution.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) anticipates further deterioration in early November, driven by stubble burning in nearby Punjab and Haryana.
Meanwhile, officials are closely monitoring areas for compliance with the ban, with police prepared to take legal action against violators.
Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 330 on Thursday, a rise from 307 the previous day, evoking memories of the capital’s “severe” smog levels in 2020.
The pollution was exacerbated by a combination of vehicle emissions, local pollutants, and stubble burning.
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