New Delhi: Despite the Supreme Court’s ban on the sale of the firecrackers in New Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in most of the places of Delhi-NCR was recorded above 400, post Diwali celebration. National capital was hit with smoggy morning after Diwali. It should be noted that AQI above 400 is termed as “severe”.
The air quality began to worsen Friday morning. By 11 am, the overall PM 2.5 in Delhi hit “severe” levels, with a reading of 574 ug/m3, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). PM 10 also touched ‘critical levels’ of 517 ug/m3.
The online pollution monitoring centers recorded 10 times rise in AQI levels on Diwali night. Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh and Anand Vihar area recorded the highest level of pollution with AQI at 999 on Friday morning, which is considered to be hazardous. AQI at R.K. Puram area was 978, while as per the latest update, East Delhi’s Dilshad Garden area recorded the minimum level of pollution with AQI at 221.
The Supreme Court on October 9 had banned sale of firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) till October 31. However, there was no such order against buying and bursting and Delhi is solely responsible for the air it breathes due to the current weather conditions.
