The average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi got some relief on Tuesday as the city’s overall air quality was in ‘poor’ category, standing at 299 according to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
This is, in part, due to hot weather that led to an increase in windspeed and the subsequent dispersion of pollutants over the National Capital. An AQI of 376 took Delhi to the ‘very poor’ category a day prior to Diwali festivities.
However, significant issues were still present in certain areas around the city. Five stations classified the air quality as ‘very poor’ and they could not be answered – a total of 23 stations out of 57 reported data.
Pusa reported the maximum AQI level at 385 followed by Chandni Chowk with 381 AQI. Delhi’s overall AQI earlier in the morning was 304 while the government’s air quality portal recorded a reading of 307.
It was the most polluted Diwali seen in the capital in five years as the AQI on Sunday reached levels of 376. Its reading hit the maximum level of the festival day since 2021, when the AQI was 382.
On Monday morning, pollution levels have increased further, with several monitoring stations reaching the level of severe pollution. Smog loomed thick over parts of North India following the Diwali festivities that reduced visibility and affected air quality in north Indian states of Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.
The improvement on Tuesday helps but some areas are still shrouded with unhealthy pollution level in Delhi.