Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates Ahead of Diwali
Delhi, November 2: Air quality in Delhi has plunged into the ‘very poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing 350. This alarming situation has arisen just before the Diwali festival, making it increasingly difficult for residents to breathe.
Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that areas around Akshardham and ITO recorded an AQI of 349, while India Gate and Janpath saw levels of 335.
New restrictions aimed at combating pollution were implemented on November 1. However, on the very first day of these measures, air quality deteriorated significantly. Following two days of respite due to rain, Sunday marked one of the most polluted days of the season, with 23 out of 57 monitoring stations reporting AQI levels above 300. The AQI had risen by 144 points from the previous day’s reading of 117, indicating a sharp decline in air quality.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.
As November begins, Delhi is also experiencing light fog and cooler temperatures, with a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius recorded, which is 1.9 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature reached 29 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest for this date since 2021. Visibility has been affected, with readings of 1600 meters at Safdarjung and 1500 meters near IGI Airport due to fog.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.