Delhi’s Air Quality Turns ‘Severe’ On Diwali, Smog Covers City Despite Green Firecracker Rules, IMD Warns Of Further Decline

Delhi AQI: Delhi’s air quality worsened significantly on Diwali day, with several parts of the capital recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the ‘severe’ category. Residents woke up on Monday to a thick layer of smog blanketing the city, a result of widespread firecracker use and stagnant weather conditions.

Delhi Pollution Levels Cross 400 In Several Areas

According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), pollution levels in many areas hovered dangerously close to or above 400. Wazirpur recorded an AQI of 418, while Ashok Vihar stood at 401. Mandir Marg reported an AQI of 345, Nehru Nagar 391 and Punjabi Bagh 393, all indicating highly polluted air.

ALSO READ: Diwali 2025 LIVE Updates: Delhi Chokes In Thick Smog As AQI Turns 'Severe'; Ayodhya’s Ram Temple Illuminated In Grand Celebration

The Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app showed Delhi’s overall AQI at 339 at 9 AM, placing the city in the ‘very poor’ category. Data from 38 monitoring stations revealed that most neighbourhoods recorded AQI levels above 300. Anand Vihar and Wazirpur breached the ‘severe’ threshold with readings of 414 and 412, respectively. Areas like Bawana (369), Pusa (371) and Ashok Vihar (394) also remained under the ‘very poor’ category, while Sri Aurobindo Marg (165) and DTU (198) were among the few with moderate air quality.

For reference, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as “good”, 51–100 as “satisfactory”, 101–200 as “moderate”, 201–300 as “poor”, 301–400 as “very poor”, and 401–500 as “severe”.

ALSO READ: Chandigarh Pharma Owner Gifts 51 Luxury Cars to Employees on Diwali, Video Goes Viral

CAQM Enforces GRAP II

Amid the alarming rise in pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. This includes restrictions on construction work and other measures aimed at curbing emissions.

IMD Predicts Further Decline In Air Quality

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have forecast further deterioration in air quality in the coming days. Despite the Supreme Court’s directive allowing only green firecrackers within limited hours, from 6 AM to 7 PM and 8 PM to 10 PM, violations were reported across the city.