Delhi air quality reaches severe levels as smog thickens after Deepavali celebrations

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated into the severe category on Monday, with the ITO monitoring station recording an Air Quality Index reading of 406 at about 4:20 a.m., according to data cited by India Today from the Central Pollution Control Board. Heavy smog reduced visibility across parts of the capital, including Inderlok. Several other stations remained in the very poor range: Rajiv Chowk recorded 381 at about 1:30 a.m., while South Extension registered 360 around 4 a.m.

The deterioration followed Deepavali celebrations on Sunday night. The Hindu reported that the city’s overall AQI was 371 at 10 p.m., while the daily average settled at 376, up from 369 on Saturday. Nineteen of 59 monitoring stations were in the severe category at 7 p.m., with Jahangirpuri recording the highest reading at 460.

A smoky haze blurred streetlights and reduced visibility in neighbourhoods, while residents reported difficulty breathing. The Hindu said fireworks were heard or seen in Pitampura, Burari, Mayur Vihar, Bishambardas Marg and parts of Lutyens’ Delhi despite restrictions. Ahead of the festival, the Delhi government had urged residents to follow Supreme Court directions on the sale and use of green firecrackers.

An order by the East Delhi district magistrate permitted green fireworks only on November 7 and 8, during morning and evening time windows. Firecrackers were also prohibited within 300 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and other designated silence zones. The administration had announced joint patrols and enforcement teams involving district officials and Delhi Police to tackle unauthorised sales and the use of prohibited fireworks.

Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan remains in force across Delhi-NCR as authorities respond to the worsening conditions. The Air Quality Early Warning System forecast that pollution could remain in the severe category for several days from November 9. The Hindu cited weather and air-quality experts as pointing to unfavourable meteorological conditions, vehicle emissions, Deepavali activity and peak stubble-burning season in neighbouring states.

PM2.5 was the capital’s dominant pollutant on Sunday. The reports differed in emphasis: India Today focused on early Monday readings and a political dispute over preparedness, while The Hindu detailed the festival-night spike and enforcement restrictions. Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha questioned the central and Delhi governments’ year-round preparations, saying responsibility should not be placed solely on the chief minister.

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra separately accused Arvind Kejriwal’s camp of using pollution concerns to target Deepavali and Sanatan Dharma, an allegation reported without supporting evidence in the supplied material.