Delhi’s AQI data gap on Diwali night as 36 of 59 monitoring stations go offline

On the night of Diwali, Delhi’s air‑quality monitoring network experienced a substantial data shortfall, with 36 of the 59 operational stations failing to upload readings, according to environmental experts. The missing data hampers real‑time assessment of pollution levels during a period when firecrackers typically drive particulate matter spikes, complicating public health advisories and policy responses. Authorities from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) acknowledged the outage and are investigating technical glitches, while urging citizens to rely on satellite‑based estimates and personal monitoring devices until the network is restored. The incident highlights systemic vulnerabilities in the city’s monitoring infrastructure, prompting calls for redundancy measures and regular maintenance to ensure continuous coverage during high‑risk events. Meanwhile, the AQI for the night, derived from limited available stations, still indicated hazardous levels, underscoring the health risks associated with Diwali fireworks.