LAGATAR24 DESK
New Delhi: A day after Diwali celebrations, Delhi’s air quality has plunged further into the “very poor” category, with an overall AQI recorded at 362 this morning, according to SAFAR-India. Despite a firecracker ban, areas like Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Saket, Dwarka, and Punjabi Bagh saw widespread cracker bursting, contributing to the deteriorating air conditions.
By 9 PM on Diwali night, the AQI was already at 327, with pollution hotspots such as Alipur, Anand Vihar, and IGI Airport reaching “very poor” levels. Data from the Sameer app, managed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), showed similar trends in other regions like Mundka, Rohini, and Nehru Nagar.
Compared to previous years, Delhi’s AQI after Diwali has seen slight fluctuations, with last year recording a clearer Diwali at AQI 218. In contrast, Delhi recorded AQIs of 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, and 414 in 2020, reflecting ongoing challenges in managing post-festival air pollution.
In the AQI scale, 301-400 is “very poor,” indicating serious health effects, particularly for vulnerable groups.
