Delhi's Air Quality On Brink Of Turning 'Severe' Post Diwali As People Burst Crackers Despite Ban

Air quality index in Delhi-NCR may turn "severe" by midnight and shoot up rapidly by Friday morning if firecrackers are burnt.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: As the bursting of crackers has started in several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), authorities have said that the air quality index in the region has deteriorated to 382 to reach "very poor" and may turn 'severe' by midnight and shoot up rapidly by Friday morning. 

According to the prediction, the PM2.5 pollution in the capital may enter the 'severe' zone by midnight even if there is 50 per cent of firecrackers emissions as compared to last year. 

The PM2.5 pollution will shoot up rapidly by Friday early morning with the AQI even crossing the 500-mark, Gufran Beig, the founder project director of SAFAR told news agency PTI.

PM2.5 pollution will shoot up rapidly by Friday early morning with the AQI even crossing the 500-mark.

Several areas of the national capital witnessed firecracker burning despite ban imposed by Delhi government.

#WATCH | People burst crackers in Delhi on #Diwali. Visuals from Adhchini and Greater Kailash.

Delhi government has banned the bursting and sale of all firecrackers, including green crackers. pic.twitter.com/Y9G473JYVr

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2021

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

#WATCH | People burst crackers in Delhi on #Diwali today. Visuals from Barapullah flyover.

Delhi government has banned the bursting and sale of all firecrackers, including green crackers. pic.twitter.com/qVqws8xWlI

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2021

Noida Air Quality Index

Surpassing Delhi, Noida's air quality has already reached 'severe' level on Diwali evening with index value crossing over 400 mark.

Greater Noida Air Quality Index

Even in Greater Noida, which is an extension to Noida region, the air index value reached 322 which comes under "very poor" category. 

Ghaziabad Air Quality Index

Way beyond Delhi and Noida, UP's Ghaziabad recorded highest index value of 419, which again comes under 'severe' category.

Air Quality Index In Other NCR Zones

Even Gurugram recorded an index value of 395 taking the air quality index to "very poor". Meanwhile, Faridabad recorded index value of 399, taking the AQI to "very poor" category.

Air Quality Due To Stubble Burning

According to SAFAR model forecasts, the stubble burning share may increase to 35 per cent on Friday and 40 per cent on Saturday with the wind direction changing to northwesterly. Northwesterly winds carry smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana towards the national capital.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday had urged the Centre to issue an advisory to Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to completely stop stubble burning during the Diwali period so that people could breathe easy after the festival.

In order to control the air pollution in the national capital, Delhi government had launched the 'Patakhe Nahi Diye Jalao' campaign to create awareness against the bursting of crackers.

Action is being taken under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Court and the Explosives Act against anyone found burning crackers under the campaign.