Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 13 hrs ago
Delhi air quality nears severe level on Diwali morning
Delhi woke on Diwali morning to an AQI of 383, close to the level classified as severe.
Twenty-four of the city’s 54 monitoring stations recorded severe air, while the rest measured very poor air quality.
Jahangirpuri had the highest reading, at 450, followed by RK Puram at 448.
The readings came after firecrackers were set off before the festival, though Delhi’s AQI had edged down from 382 on Friday to 369 on Saturday before rising again.
Severe air quality is forecast through November 9, with pollution expected to fluctuate between severe and very poor over the following six days.
The Supreme Court allowed certified green crackers for limited hours on Saturday and Sunday, saying a complete ban had not significantly improved air quality or stopped illegal sales of conventional crackers.
Delhi’s pollution is expected to remain high in the coming days.
Delhi’s air quality reached an AQI of 383 on the morning of Deepavali, close to the severe threshold of 401.
Firecrackers set off the day before the festival were cited as contributing to the toxic haze.
Twenty-four of the city’s 54 monitoring stations recorded severe air quality, while the rest recorded very poor air quality.
Jahangirpuri recorded the highest AQI, at 450, followed by RK Puram at 448.
Delhi’s Air Quality Early Warning System forecast severe air quality on November 8 and 9.
- Who
- Delhi residents and the city’s monitoring stations.
- What
- Delhi’s air quality reached an AQI of 383, near the severe category.
- When
- The morning of Deepavali, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- Firecrackers set off the day before the festival were cited as contributing to the toxic haze.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Delhi’s AQI was 382.
Delhi’s AQI improved to 369.
Delhi’s AQI was reported at 383, and 24 of 54 monitoring stations recorded severe air quality.
The Air Quality Early Warning System forecast severe air quality in Delhi.
- City AQI
- 383
- Severe threshold
- 401
- Stations recording severe air quality
- 24 of 54
- Highest station reading
- Jahangirpuri, 450
- Second-highest station reading
- RK Puram, 448
- Forecast
- Severe air quality on November 8 and 9