Delhi’s post-Diwali AQI levels worst in 5 years

A day after Diwali celebrations, an alarming deterioration in air quality was reported across northern India, with national capital Delhi seeing the worst post-Diwali pollution in five years, according to a new study.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital also recorded the worst air among all metros following a night of festive celebrations.

At 4 p.m, Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 351, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Mumbai followed next, with PM2.5 as the main pollutant and an AQI of 211, categorised as ‘poor’. Other metros fared better ~ Kolkata (174), Chennai (142), and Hyderabad (116) all recorded ‘moderate’ air quality levels. Bengaluru was the only major city with air quality in the’satisfactory range, recording an AQI below 100.