Post-Diwali, Delhi wakes up to thick smog as AQI hits 345 (‘very poor’), with some areas breaching 500 (‘severe’). Despite firecracker restrictions, violations spiked pollution. Combined with stubble burning and low winds, the haze worsens. Authorities may enforce GRAP-II measures; health experts warn vulnerable groups to limit outdoor exposure.
Residents of the national capital woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Wednesday morning, as Delhi’s air quality took a severe hit following Diwali celebrations. At 5:30 a.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 345, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Despite restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on the use of firecrackers, several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed widespread violations on Diwali night.
On Tuesday, many monitoring stations recorded AQI levels breaching the 500-mark, a level categorised as ‘severe’.
#WATCH | केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) के अनुसार, आज सुबह दिल्ली में इंडिया गेट के आसपास वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) 362 दर्ज किया गया, जो ‘बेहद खराब’ श्रेणी में है।
वीडियो इंडिया गेट से है। pic.twitter.com/zjVdwbey64
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 22, 2025
The 24-hour average AQI for Tuesday was 351, a sharp rise from 345 recorded on Monday.