New Delhi became the world’s most polluted city on Friday morning, November 1, as Delhiites flouted the firecrackers ban during Diwali celebrations on Thursday, pushing the air quality to hazardous levels and adding to the thick smog that enveloped the national capital, according to Swiss firm IQAir. 


According to Central Pollution Control Board's National Air Quality Index or AQI, the air quality index reached 388 at Anand Vihar station at 10 AM. This comes under the "very poor" category, sparking health concerns for the residents.


On Thursday, Anand Vihar station recorded an AQI of 412, which is categorised as "severe". An AQI of this level not only affects healthy people, but has a serious impact on those with existing diseases.


As per IQAir, this has placed Delhi at the top of the world’s real-time pollution rankings. Despite the Delhi government's ban on firecrackers to curb pollution, people largely neglected compliance, flouting the ban.


As of 3 PM, several areas recorded an AQI above 350, with the Anand Vihar station at 392, Bawana at 380, IGI Airport (T3) at 357, Jahangirpuri at 376, and Mundka at 351, all categorised as "very poor" and posing serious health concerns.


The problem of pollution after the Diwali festival extended beyond Delhi as cities like Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai also witnessed smog and poor air quality. Residents in these cities expressed concerns over pollution levels linked to Diwali.


Due to the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations, pollution increased significantly, adding to the already worsened air quality given the seasonal crop burning in the nearby states, which is common during early winter. 


In 2023, Delhi enjoyed clearer skies and abundant sunshine on Diwali, with an AQI of 218. The AQI was 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to the CPCB data. 


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Top 10 most polluted cities in the world


According to IQAir world major city quality ranking, the top 10 cities with most-polluted air are:


1. Delhi, India


2. Lahore, Pakistan


3. Beijing, China


4. Dhaka, Bangladesh


5. Wuhan, China


6. Mumbai, India


7. Kathmandu, Nepal


8. Baghdad, Iraq


9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates


10. Karachi, Pakistan


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