Post-Diwali Smog Chokes Delhi-NCR As Air Quality Dips To ‘Very Poor’ Levels

Two days after Diwali, thick smog has engulfed Delhi and its neighbouring areas, sending air quality into the ‘Very Poor’ zone.

The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 353 on Wednesday, indicating highly polluted air.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, released at 4 PM on 22 October, showed that Delhi’s air remains packed with PM2.5, fine particles known to cause serious lung problems.

Neighbouring cities fared even worse.

Dharuhera (379), Rohtak (349), Noida (330), Bhiwani (331), Narnaul (332), and Ghaziabad (321) all reported dangerous levels of pollution, making the entire National Capital Region one of the most polluted parts of India.

Greater Noida (308), Ambala (312), and Yamuna Nagar (320) also recorded worrying numbers.

Experts say the sudden spike is mainly due to heavy firecracker use during Diwali, calm weather that traps pollutants, and increased vehicle movement.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered the immediate rollout of GRAP Stage-III restrictions. These include halting construction work, stopping open waste burning, and closing polluting industries.

Pollution was also high in several other northern cities. Amritsar (238), Ludhiana (278), Jaipur (247), and Kanpur (253) all reported ‘Poor’ air quality, showing that post-festival smog has spread far beyond Delhi.

Meanwhile, the cleanest air in the country was recorded in Shillong (11), Puducherry (19), Madurai (25), and Coimbatore (33), all comfortably within the ‘Good’ category.

Doctors have warned that breathing in the current air could cause coughing, throat irritation, and breathing difficulties even among healthy people.

They compared exposure to these PM2.5 levels to ‘smoking several cigarettes a day’.

With cooler weather setting in and farm fires expected to increase soon, environmentalists warn that the situation could get worse.

Experts fear that if the trend continues, Delhi-NCR may slip into the ‘Severe’ category in the coming days.