Diwali fireworks choke Delhi: 36 out of 38 monitoring stations hit ‘red zone’, 4 record ‘severe’ AQI levels above 400 | Delhi News - The Times of India
The night of Diwali brought colourful skies to India’s capital, but the morning after revealed a far less festive picture: the city woke up enveloped in a heavy smog. Out of 38 air-quality monitoring stations in Delhi, 36 recorded readings in the “red zone”, denoting levels of pollution considered very poor or worse. Four of those stations logged an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 400—classified as “severe”. This spike comes despite restrictions on firework use and the permitted bursting window for “green” firecrackers. Experts warn that stagnant weather conditions and the accumulation of emissions from fireworks, transport and industry could keep air quality dangerously high for the next few days, raising urgent health concerns for the city’s population.
The Key points
- 36 of 38 monitoring stations across Delhi registered pollution in the red zone on Diwali night.
- Four stations recorded “severe” AQI levels above 400, signalling extreme health risks.
- The overall city average AQI around 10 pm on Monday reached approximately 344, rising from previous days.
- The 24-hour average AQI reported at 4 pm stood at about 345, a further deterioration.
- The spike followed continued bursting of fireworks despite court-mandated windows and amendments for “green” firecrackers.
- Stagnant weather and low wind speeds are worsening dispersal of pollutants in the capital.
- Data from the DSS (Decision Support System) suggests transport contributed nearly 15.6% to pollution, with industrial and other sources at about 23.3%.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in response to the deteriorating air.
- Visibility dropped sharply—landmarks like the India Gate were barely visible under the haze.
- Authorities and health experts warn residents—especially children, seniors and those with respiratory issues—to limit outdoor exposure until the air clears.
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