NEW DELHI: (Oct 21) A thick grey haze blanketed Delhi on Tuesday morning, pushing air quality deep into the ‘very poor’ category just hours after Diwali celebrations saw widespread bursting of firecrackers beyond the two-hour window permitted by the Supreme Court.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 359 at 11 a.m., up from 352 at 8 a.m. and 346 at 5 a.m. — all in the red zone. Officials said the deterioration was largely due to overnight emissions from fireworks combined with stagnant wind conditions.
An AQI between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor’, which can cause respiratory discomfort even among healthy people and serious health effects for those with pre-existing conditions.
Residents across areas like Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, RK Puram, and Jahangirpuri reported difficulty breathing, irritation in the eyes, and a thick smell of smoke lingering in the air. Visibility dropped sharply in parts of the city, disrupting morning commutes.
Environmental activists criticised the violations, saying the celebrations showed “collective indifference” to public health warnings. Authorities have stepped up patrolling and may issue fines for violations of the firecracker ban in several areas.
Meteorological officials said the haze is likely to persist for at least the next two days, as calm winds are preventing the dispersion of pollutants.