Cement-Coloured Sky, Air Quality "Very Poor" In Delhi On Diwali Day
NDTV
Record-breaking rainfall and other favourable weather conditions had led to a rare drop in pollution in Delhi last month.
Delhi's overall air quality was 'very poor' this Diwali afternoon, with expectations of it turning worse as the day progresses. At 2:21 pm, the capital's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was 339, according to a government air quality monitoring agency.
The national capital's air quality has seen a marginal improvement since morning but is expected to dip once firecrackers are lit to celebrate the festival late evening and at night. There's a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi but instances of people risking legal action to defy the ban are not uncommon. An NDTV investigation has also exposed how the sale of firecrackers continues in the capital.
At 8 am, Delhi's AQI stood at 341, up from 314 at 4 pm on Wednesday. The 24-hour average AQI was 303 on Tuesday and 281 on Monday with overall AQI standing at 339, according to the System of Air Quality & Weather Forecasting & Research (SAFAR).
AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
