Explorer

Air Quality Plummets To 'Severe' Category In Parts Of Delhi On Diwali Amid Firecracker Ban

Delhi's air quality deteriorated to "severe" levels in some areas on Diwali morning, despite a ban on firecrackers.

The overall air quality in the national capital remained in the "very poor" category on Diwali morning with pollution levels plummeting further amid a ban on the use of firecrackers. A layer of smog wrapped the city while air quality deteriorated to "severe" category in some parts.  

On Thursday morning, Dehli recorded an Air Quality Index of 329, according to the data by the Central Pollution Control Board as of 7 am. An AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 is considered 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 is considered 'moderate', 201 to 300 is considered 'poor', 301 to 400 is considered 'very poor' and 401 to 500 is considered 'severe'.

On Wednesday, the city recorded an AQI of 307 at 4 pm, up from 268 on Tuesday, as per CPCB. 

Station AQI 
Alipur   300
Anand Vihar  418
Ashok Vihar  269
Bawana  360
Burari Crossing  350
DTU  277
Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range  320
Dwarks Sector-8   359
IGI Airport (T3)  303
IBHAS, Dilshad Garden   207
ITO    303
Jahangirpuri  393
Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium  292
Lodhi Road  287
Dhyan Chand Stadium  332
Mandir Marg  336
Mundka  371
NSIT Dwarka  302
Najafgarh  280
Narela  301
Nehru Nagar  350
North Campus, DU  335
Okhla Phase-2  324
Patparganj  343
Punjabi Bagh  366
Pusa  307
RK Puram  382
Rohini  357
Shadipur  364
Siri Fort  324
Sonia Vihar  331
Sri Aurobindo Marg  282
Vivek Vihar  354
Wazirpur  397

*Figures according to Air Quality Warning and Decision Support System For Delhi, under Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology as of 6 am.

Several other major cities also recorded 'moderate' and 'poor' air qualities on the day of Diwali including Ahmedabad (136), Bengaluru (115), Chennai (190), Hyderabad (107), Jaipur (225), Lucknow (179), Mumbai (153), Patna (155), and Pune (125). 

In a bid to minimise the use of firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali amid a ban on fireworks, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said 377 teams have been formed to enforce the ban across the national capital. 

He also said that the authorities are in touch with resident welfare associations (RWAs), market associations and social organisations to spread awareness.

All deputy commissioners of police (DSPs) have been asked across the national capital to form dedicated teams to ensure that firecrackers are not burst in their respective districts.

"Legal action will be taken against those found bursting crackers. They may also be booked under the relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) for violating government orders," he said, reported PTI. 

Top Headlines

Hindu Trader Killed In Bangladesh Again: Second Death In 24 Hours Raises Alarm
Hindu Trader Killed In Bangladesh Again: Second Death In 24 Hours Raises Alarm
'Maduro's Capture Is UN Charter Violation': Venezuela Accuses US Of Illegal Attack
'Maduro's Capture Is UN Charter Violation': Venezuela Accuses US Of Illegal Attack
Hindu Journalist Shot Dead In Bangladesh, Fifth Minority Attack In Three Weeks
Hindu Journalist Shot Dead In Bangladesh, Fifth Minority Attack In Three Weeks
‘For The Homeland, I Will Take Up Arms Again’: Colombia’s President Warns After US Action In Venezuela
‘For The Homeland, I Will Take Up Arms Again’: Colombia’s President Warns After US Action In Venezuela

Videos

Punjab News: AAP Leader Shot Dead During Wedding in Amritsar
Maharashtra News: Pune Man Dies by Suicide Alleging Harassment by NCP Candidate
Mumbai News: Thackeray Brothers Hold Joint Rally After Manifesto Release
Tamil Nadu News: Amit Shah Targets DMK, BJP Launches Poll Campaign in Pudukkottai
Delhi News: Supreme Court to Decide on Bail Plea of Delhi Riots Accused Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

Photo Gallery

25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Embed widget