Now Reading: Delhi AQI hits 369 on Diwali eve, worst in 10 years
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Delhi AQI hits 369 on Diwali eve, worst in 10 years
The Story in Brief
Delhi recorded its most polluted Diwali eve in a decade on Saturday, 7 November, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching 369 at 4 pm, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category on the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) 0-500 scale. This was the highest AQI recorded on the day before Diwali since 2016, when it touched 404.
The city woke up to Diwali on Sunday, 8 November, after the spike in pollution levels. The reading was taken by the CPCB.
Indian Opinion Analysis
An AQI of 369 means residents breathed air classified as ‘very poor’, a level that can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. The fact that this is the highest pre-Diwali reading in a decade undercuts years of official claims that crackdowns on firecrackers and stubble burning are working. The next concrete number to watch is the AQI on Diwali night itself, when firecracker use typically spikes and readings often climb higher.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
