The strictest enforcement of the firecracker ban could result in Delhi’s finest Diwali day air quality in eight years on Sunday.
Delhi residents awoke to a bright sky and plenty of sunshine, and around seven in the morning, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 202, the highest level in at least three weeks.
An AQI of 0–50 is regarded as “good,” 51–100 as “satisfactory,” 101–200 as “moderate,” 201–300 as “poor,” 301–400 as “very poor,” 401–450 as “severe,” and 450 and above as “severe plus.”
The air quality index for the 24 hours leading up to Diwali on Saturday was 220, the lowest level in eight years.
This time, right before Diwali, Delhi’s air quality significantly improved. This is likely due to Friday’s sporadic rains and wind speeds that promote the dispersal of pollutants.
In context, the AQI on Thursday was 437 during a 24-hour period.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi had an AQI of 312 on Diwali last year, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016.
Beginning on October 28, the city had “very poor” to “severe” air quality for two weeks, and the capital was shrouded in a suffocating haze.
Ahead of Diwali, the IMD had originally forecast a little improvement in the air quality due to favorable meteorological conditions, including light rain, brought on by a western disturbance.
The majority of northwest India, including Punjab and Haryana, saw rainfall as a result of a western disturbance, which significantly decreased the amount of smoke from burning stubble that contributed to Delhi’s air pollution.