Delhi Air Pollution Worsens After Diwali Celebrations; AQI Crosses 400 in Several Areas

New Delhi: Air pollution in the national capital has reached alarming levels following Diwali celebrations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 400 in several areas. The air quality has deteriorated to the 'severe' category, leaving the city engulfed in toxic smog.

The highest AQI of 449 was recorded in Sonia Vihar, followed by Burari Crossing at 445 and Vivek Vihar at 441. Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 439, while Delhi University's North Campus registered 437. The AQI stood at 435 in Rohini.

Several other areas also recorded 'severe' air quality levels, including DTU (431), Bawana (424), Chowk and Patparganj (418 each), Mundka (413), NIH Narela and Punjabi Bagh (408 each), and the Commonwealth Sports Complex and ITO (404 each).

The city's average AQI was 369 on Saturday and 376 on Sunday, Diwali.

The Supreme Court had permitted the sale and bursting of approved green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region on November 7 and 8, between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm.