Delhi: Pollution levels fall after two days of Diwali

Delhi: Keeping up with previous years, this year as well the AQI levels in Delhi and NCR rose up on the night of Diwali, October 24, 2022. The air quality of Delhi turned 'very poor' on the night of Diwali. However, on October 26, 2022, after two days of Diwali, the air quality in Delhi seems to be improving as in most parts, the AQI has come under 'poor' quality from 'very poor'. In most parts of Delhi, the AQI today stand between 201-300, under the 'poor' quality. 

While Delhi witnessed a rise in the pollution levels post Diwali as speculated, those levels weren't as bad as every year and the post-Diwali Delhi's air was at its cleanest this year, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On October 25, 2022, one day after Diwali, the AQI levels stood at 323 while last year, it was at 462.

Air quality is considered 'good' when AQI stands between 0-50, 'satisfactory' when AQI stands between 51-100, 'moderately polluted' when AQI stands between 101-200, 'poor' when AQI stands between 201-300, 'very poor' when AQI stands between 301-400 and 'severe' when AQI stands between 401-500. 

As per reports, in some parts of Delhi, cracks were burst even after the ban which contributed to the pollution. As per reports, the bursting of fire crackers rose the levels of a major pollutant, PM2.O, on the night of Diwali and the following morning. However, as per Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCB), those levels eventually fell on October 25, 2022.

According to Gopal Rai, Delhi's Environment Minster, "In 2018, the AQI level of Delhi was 390, 368 in 2019, 435 in 2020 and 462 in 2021. Last year, the level of pollution in terms of AQI was 462 a day after Diwali, but this year, with the cooperation of people of Delhi, it got reduced to 323 on the same day. There has been a decline of 30% in pollution level as compared to the previous year" 

According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), the stubble burning in the neighboring states of Delhi had a 'meagre' affect on the capital's air quality this year.