Delhi: Cracker ban defied on Diwali; Air quality worsens, plunges to 'severe' category

As national capital continues to remain engulfed in a blanket of smog,  air pollution in Delhi once again shot up, a day after Diwali. air quality index in 'severe' and 'very poor quality' at several places on Sunday morning. aver AQI in Delhi at 8 am stood at 468. 

This development comes as people h burst firecrackers in violation of complete ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers in national capital by Delhi government and National Green Tribunal. 

Doctors and scientists have alrey warned that short-term exposures to high levels of PM 2.5 can cause severe health problems that include worsening of coronavirus infections. Owing to a combination of stubble burning and firecrackers,   air quality dipped to "severe" at several places on Saturday night itself.

" overall air quality of Delhi has deteriorated and in higher end of 'Very Poor' category as of today morning as forecasted. AQI is forecasted to deteriorate furr and reach Severe category by evening today. stubble burning induced impact in AQI is expected to increase from moderate to high for today. Although level of PM 2.5 is predicted to be at edge of 'very poor' to 'Severe' by tonight, it is expected to be much better as compared to past 4 years around Diwali period with an assumed scenario of NIL firecracker emission," as per System of Air Quality and Wear Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

AQI is forecasted to deteriorate furr and reach 'Severe' category by Sunday evening.

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Delhi recorded a 24-hour aver AQI of 337 on Diwali last year (October 27), and 368 and 400 in next two days. reafter, pollution levels remained in "severe" category for three days on trot.

In 2018, 24-hour aver AQI (281) on Diwali was recorded in "poor" category. It deteriorated to 390 next day and remained in "severe" category on three consecutive days reafter. In 2017, Delhi's 24-hour aver AQI on Diwali (October 19) stood at 319. It, however, slipped into "severe" zone next day.

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(With Inputs from ncies)