Delhi residents woke up to a thick, toxic haze on Sunday morning as the aftermath of Diwali celebrations sent air quality plummeting to dangerous levels. The capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400-mark at multiple monitoring stations, officially pushing the city into the 'Severe' category.
Pollution Spike Across Monitoring Stations
According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), several areas recorded alarming pollution levels. The Delhi University station registered an AQI of 434, while Mathura Road hit 423 and IIT Delhi reached 413 - all falling under the 'Severe' classification that poses health risks to even healthy individuals.
What Pushed Delhi's Air Quality into Red Zone?
The deterioration in air quality can be attributed to multiple factors converging at once:
- Intensive firecracker burning during Diwali night celebrations
- Increasing stubble burning incidents in neighboring states
- Unfavorable meteorological conditions trapping pollutants
- Drop in temperature and wind speed preventing dispersion
Health Advisory Issued for Residents
Medical experts have issued urgent health advisories, recommending that vulnerable groups including children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions avoid outdoor activities. The high concentration of PM2.5 particles - microscopic pollutants that can penetrate deep into lungs - poses serious health risks.
"The combination of firecracker emissions and existing pollution sources has created a perfect storm for Delhi's air quality," explained a SAFAR scientist. "We're seeing typical post-Diwali deterioration, compounded by early winter conditions."
Graded Response Action Plan in Effect
With AQI levels entering the 'Severe' zone, Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been automatically activated. This includes restrictions on construction activities and the possible regulation of commercial vehicle entry into the city.
As Delhi braces for its annual winter pollution battle, authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with hopes that changing weather patterns might bring some relief in the coming days.
