New Delhi, 1 November 2024: New Delhi experienced its hottest October since 1951, recording both high maximum and minimum temperatures, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced Friday. Safdarjung, a key weather station in the capital, recorded an average high of 35.1 degrees Celsius and a low of 21.2 degrees Celsius.
These readings are notably high in the historical context of October temperatures, with records dating back to 1907, when highs were typically around 35.0 degrees Celsius or slightly higher. In 1951, October temperatures peaked at 36.2 degrees Celsius, a benchmark nearly matched this year.
Meanwhile, Diwali festivities added a smoky haze to the city’s air on Friday morning, with pollution levels spiking as residents flouted a ban on firecrackers. Most neighborhoods saw Air Quality Index (AQI) levels soar past 350, raising health alarms across the capital.
Cyclist Stephen, who pedaled through India Gate where AQI levels reached 317 post-Diwali, shared, “Because of the pollution, terrible things are happening. It hit so suddenly—just a few days ago the air was clear, and now my brother is sick. I used to come here to cycle with him, but he’s been severely affected by the pollution lately. And today, it’s extreme.”
At 7:00 a.m. on Friday, AQI readings underscored the severity of the problem: Anand Vihar registered 395, Jahangirpuri 390, Dwarka 376, and Aya Nagar 352. All of these scores indicated “very poor” air quality, signifying considerable health risks for residents.
The pollution crisis extended beyond Delhi; major cities like Chennai and Mumbai also saw deteriorating air quality, with smog blanketing large regions. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), these spikes in pollution, especially following Diwali, highlight pressing concerns about air quality and the broader health impacts on populations nationwide.
