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Weather
Delhi’s AQI Surpasses 300 as Post‑Rain Relief Ends, Raising Diwali Pollution Concerns
✍️ India Today
🗓 02 Nov 2026, 02:33 PM
👁 25
The capital’s air quality index has climbed above 300 after a brief improvement from recent rains, prompting officials to warn of heightened pollution risks during Diwali.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) breached the 300 mark today, erasing the short‑lived relief that followed the recent monsoon showers. The sharp rise has placed the city in the ‘severe’ pollution category, according to the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme.
Meteorologists noted that the rain had temporarily washed away particulate matter, but stagnant atmospheric conditions and ongoing emissions from traffic and industrial sources have caused pollutant levels to rebound quickly. Experts warn that the timing coincides with the upcoming Diwali festival, when firecracker usage traditionally spikes.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee issued an advisory urging residents to limit outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. Authorities are also urging vendors and households to curb the use of firecrackers and to adopt cleaner alternatives to prevent further deterioration of air quality during the festive period.
Health officials have set up additional monitoring stations and are prepared to issue real‑time alerts if the AQI crosses critical thresholds, aiming to safeguard public health as the city approaches one of its most celebrated holidays.
Meteorologists noted that the rain had temporarily washed away particulate matter, but stagnant atmospheric conditions and ongoing emissions from traffic and industrial sources have caused pollutant levels to rebound quickly. Experts warn that the timing coincides with the upcoming Diwali festival, when firecracker usage traditionally spikes.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee issued an advisory urging residents to limit outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. Authorities are also urging vendors and households to curb the use of firecrackers and to adopt cleaner alternatives to prevent further deterioration of air quality during the festive period.
Health officials have set up additional monitoring stations and are prepared to issue real‑time alerts if the AQI crosses critical thresholds, aiming to safeguard public health as the city approaches one of its most celebrated holidays.