New Delhi: With Diwali celebrations approaching, Delhi is witnessing a fresh deterioration in air quality, raising fears of a severe pollution episode across the national capital. A dense layer of smog enveloped several neighbourhoods on Friday morning as the city’s overall AQI climbed to 391.
The latest readings indicate that pollution has intensified across the city, with nearly half of Delhi’s 59 air quality monitoring stations reporting severe levels at 9 am. The other monitoring locations remained in the very poor category.
Rohini recorded the highest pollution level with an AQI of 475, while IIT-Delhi followed closely at 472. These readings underline the growing concentration of pollutants in different parts of the capital.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, Friday could mark Delhi’s first severe air pollution day of the season. The forecast also indicates that the deteriorating conditions may continue until November 8, when Diwali will be celebrated.
The timing has raised additional concerns because the region is currently experiencing the peak stubble-burning period. Smoke from agricultural fires, combined with emissions from firecrackers during the festival, could place further pressure on an already polluted atmosphere.
Delhi’s AQI increased from 389 at 8 am to 391 at 9 am on Friday. The Central Pollution Control Board categorises readings between 301 and 400 as very poor, while an AQI above 400 falls into the severe bracket.
Meteorological experts have cautioned that several pollution-prone areas could witness readings exceeding 450 as the festive period approaches and sources of emissions continue to contribute to the pollution burden.
Weather conditions have offered little relief so far. Safdarjung, the capital’s primary weather observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 17.2 degrees Celsius, around 1.9 degrees above the seasonal average.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast daytime temperatures of approximately 30 degrees Celsius, accompanied by shallow fog during the morning. Similar foggy conditions are expected to remain in Delhi until November 9.
With pollution levels already approaching the severe threshold, the coming days will be crucial in determining how the capital’s air quality develops during the Diwali festivities.
