The air quality in Delhi remained 'very poor' on Thursday with an air quality index of 336, slightly better than Monday. The air quality index around the same time on Wednesday was 354, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
The situation looks grim as the national capital has been covered in a thick blanket of smog just ahead of Diwali even as there has been a complete ban on firecrackers. Delhi experienced six "very poor" air quality days between September 15 and October 21, 2024, compared to just three during the same period in 2023.
| Station | AQI |
| ITO | 324 |
| Jahangirpuri | 394 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | 287 |
| Lodhi Road | 287 |
| Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium | 347 |
| Mandir Marg | 341 |
| Mundka | 368 |
| NSIT, Dwarka | 378 |
| Najafgarh | 348 |
| Narela | 339 |
| Nehru Nagar | 346 |
| North Campus, DU | 365 |
| Patparganj | 345 |
| Punjabi Bagh | 349 |
| Pusa | 349 |
| RK Puram | 359 |
| Rohini | 373 |
| Sirifort | 336 |
| Bawana | 383 |
| Sonia Vihar | 364 |
| Sri Aurobindo Marg | 332 |
| Wazirpur | 387 |
| Alipur | 343 |
| Anand Vihar | 392 |
| Ashok Vihar | 350 |
| Burari Crossing | 357 |
| Dwarka | 348 |
| IGI Airport | 334 |
Children and senior citizens are the worst affected by the air pollution that starts with the arrival of autumn in the national capital. The Delhi State Health Mission has suggested some dos and don'ts as the pollution may rise in the coming days.
Dos
- Wash your eyes with running water.
- Regular gargles with lukewarm water.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet including fruits and vegetables.
- Consult a doctor in case of breathlessness, giddiness, cough, chest discomfort or pain, or irritation in the eyes (red or watery).
- Use public transport or carpools.
- Practice wet mopping instead of sweeping, inside homes and workplaces.
- Use air-purifying plants.
- Follow a diet rich in antioxidants.
Don'ts
- Avoid places with high air pollution like slow and heavy traffic roads, areas near polluting industries, construction/ demolition sites etc.
- Avoid outdoor morning and late evening walks, jogging, running, and physical exercise specifically during days with severe AQI.
- Don’t smoke tobacco products.
- Avoid burning mosquito coils and incense sticks in closed premises.
- Avoid the burning of wood, leaves, crop residues, and waste.
- Don't burn firecrackers.
Air quality is classified under four different stages: Stage I – 'Poor'’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III – 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – 'Severe Plus' (AQI>450). Delhi experiences severe pollution, driven by a combination of factors such as low wind speeds, dropping temperatures, high moisture levels and the presence of pollution particles that act as surfaces for condensation during the winters.