Delhi’s air quality continued to deteriorate on Sunday and remained in the ‘severe’ category in some parts of the national capital. For five consecutive days, the air quality has been in the ‘poor’ category and it has dropped further today – just a day before Diwali. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Akshardham recorded an AQI of 426—categorized as ‘severe’—marking one of the highest pollution levels in the city. Anand Vihar followed closely with an AQI of 418, while Barapulla registered 290, putting it in the ‘poor’ category on Sunday morning. India Gate recorded an AQI of 269, and water sprinklers were deployed to combat rising pollution levels. The increase in pollution was mainly linked to increased vehicle emissions, the city’s primary source on Saturday, which contributed 15.6% of total emissions, according to the decision support system. In the National Capital Region, Ghaziabad recorded a “very poor” AQI of 324, while Noida (298) and Gurugram (258) remained in the ‘poor’ category. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts similar conditions in the coming days, with no immediate relief expected. As Diwali approaches, air quality may deteriorate further due to firecracker use and stubble burning in neighboring states. On the weather front, the maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 33.5 degrees Celsius, 0.9 notches above normal, while the minimum temperature sat at 19.6 degrees Celsius, 1.2 notches above normal. The IMD has predicted clear skies for Sunday, with the maximum temperature likely to touch 33 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 19 degrees Celsius. Supreme Court allows green crackers The Supreme Court on Wednesday approved the use and sale of green crackers, which are considered less harmful than conventional fireworks. A bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai allowed green biscuits from October 18 to 21, restricting their use on these days to 6 am–7 am. and 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR activated Phase I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the AQI hovered between 201 and 300. Under this stage, 27 preventive measures must be strictly implemented across the NCR, including the use of anti-smoke guns, and water irrigation, maintenance and maintenance activities for road control, maintenance and maintenance of water. PTI.
Delhi records AQI above 400 in some areas; sky turns ‘serious’ on Diwali night
