NEW DELHI: Delhi residents woke up to thick grey haze on Tuesday, with the city’s plunging into the 'very poor' zone after many continued bursting beyond the two-hour limit set by the Supreme Court.
Data from 36 out of 38 monitoring stations indicated
pollution levels in the 'red zone', reflecting 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality. By 10 pm, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 344 (‘very poor’), with Dwarka (417), Ashok Vihar (404), Wazirpur (423), and Anand Vihar (404) reporting ‘severe’ levels, according to the SAMEER app by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
A comparison of post-Diwali air quality in Delhi2024 (Nov 1): Despite heavy firecracker bursting, above-normal temperatures and favourable winds helped disperse pollutants. AQI was 362 at 9 am but improved to a 24-hour average of 339. Noise pollution also spiked between 6 pm and midnight on Diwali, according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
2023 (Nov 13): Delhi recorded a massive jump in air pollution levels and a smoky haze returned after residents defied a blanket ban on firecrackers on Diwali night. At 8am, the AQI stood at 438, falling under the severe category. The AQI in Anand Vihar was at 296, in RK Puram at 290, in Punjabi Bagh at 280 and in ITO at 263.
2022 (Oct 25): AQI stood at 326 in the morning after Diwali, slightly better than previous years due to favourable weather conditions.
2021 (Nov 5): Delhi's AQI reached 454 (‘severe’) despite firecracker bans, highlighting how mass bursting of crackers exacerbates already hazardous air caused by stubble burning and vehicular emissions.
Before this, the city recorded an AQI of of 414 in 2020. Delhi had recorded an AQI of 281 in 2018, 337 in 2019, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe.
Trend Analysis:Over the past few years, Delhi’s post-Diwali AQI has consistently hovered in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ range, indicating that even with regulations like the green cracker initiative, fireworks, combined with pre-existing pollution sources, continue to severely impact air quality.
(With agencies inputs)Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Happy Diwali wishes,
messages and
quotes !
The TOI City Desk is an indefatigable team of journalists dedicat...
Read MoreThe TOI City Desk is an indefatigable team of journalists dedicated to bringing you the pulse of cities from across the nation, all day and all night. Our mission is to curate, report, and deliver city news that matters to readers of The Times of India. With a keen focus on urban life, governance, culture, and local issues, we provide a comprehensive view of the ever-evolving cityscapes. Our team works tirelessly to keep readers informed about the latest developments, ensuring that they are connected to the heartbeat of cities across India, right when it happens. The TOI City Desk is a trusted source for staying in touch with the local stories that shape your world.
Read Less