📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha
Weather
Delhi's AQI Hits 387, Half of Stations Turn Red Ahead of Diwali
✍️ India Today
🗓 06 Nov 2026, 09:05 AM
👁 12
The capital's air quality index rose to 387, classifying it as severe, with half of the monitoring stations reporting red levels as Diwali approaches.
Delhi's air quality index (AQI) climbed to 387 on the day leading up to the Diwali festivities, placing the city in the severe pollution bracket. Data released by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee shows that out of the network of monitoring stations, roughly fifty percent have crossed the red threshold, indicating hazardous conditions for residents.
Health officials have warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollutant levels can aggravate respiratory ailments, especially among children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing conditions. The city administration has already issued advisories urging people to limit outdoor activities and to keep windows closed where possible.
In anticipation of Diwali, authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have reminded vendors and households to use low‑smoke firecrackers, while the Delhi government is prepared to enforce stricter emission controls if the AQI continues to deteriorate.
The spike comes amid a broader seasonal trend of worsening air quality in northern India, where winter temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. Experts say that coordinated efforts across states will be essential to bring the AQI back to safer levels before the festival concludes.
Health officials have warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollutant levels can aggravate respiratory ailments, especially among children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing conditions. The city administration has already issued advisories urging people to limit outdoor activities and to keep windows closed where possible.
In anticipation of Diwali, authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have reminded vendors and households to use low‑smoke firecrackers, while the Delhi government is prepared to enforce stricter emission controls if the AQI continues to deteriorate.
The spike comes amid a broader seasonal trend of worsening air quality in northern India, where winter temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. Experts say that coordinated efforts across states will be essential to bring the AQI back to safer levels before the festival concludes.