New Delhi, November 3, 2024: Pollution levels in Delhi have escalated sharply following Diwali celebrations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 327 at 9 p.m. on Saturday, soaring to 507 by 6 a.m. on Sunday.
This rapid change saw the air quality shift from the ‘very poor’ category to the ‘hazardous’ category within just nine hours, according to inputs.
On Sunday morning, PM 2.5 levels in Delhi significantly increased, measured at 65 times above the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The average AQI stood at 337 on November 1, the day after Diwali, with some temporary improvement noted due to winds on Saturday morning. However, pollution levels began to rise again as winds died down in the evening.
Moreover, four cities in Uttar Pradesh and five cities in Haryana are among the ten most polluted cities in the country as of Sunday morning.
The ongoing air quality crisis continues to raise public health concerns in the northern parts of India.
