Delhi Chokes: Post-Diwali Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor' with No Immediate Relief

Two days after the festive glow of Diwali, Delhi remains enveloped in a thick, hazardous smog, with air quality continuing its alarming descent into the 'Very Poor' category. The national capital, notorious for its post-Diwali pollution spikes, is struggling to breathe, showing little to no improvement from the immediate aftermath of the festival.

According to the latest data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi on Saturday morning stood at a deeply concerning 339.

This figure, firmly in the 'Very Poor' bracket, signifies severe health risks for the city's inhabitants. Several monitoring stations reported even more critical levels: Anand Vihar registered a staggering AQI of 406, closely followed by Jahangirpuri at 398. Other hotspots like Bawana (396), Mundka (395), Wazirpur (391), and RK Puram (386) all paint a grim picture of widespread atmospheric toxicity.

The immediate forecast offers little solace.

SAFAR-India projections indicate that Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the 'Very Poor' category for the next few days, possibly oscillating between 'Very Poor' and 'Poor'. This persistent threat is attributed to a confluence of factors, chief among them the widespread bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, despite a ban, and the ongoing stubble burning in neighboring states.

These anthropogenic sources are exacerbated by unfavorable meteorological conditions, including low wind speeds, reduced temperatures, and high humidity, which trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing their dispersion.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Delhi government has been compelled to activate Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

This critical measure entails a series of stringent restrictions aimed at curbing further pollution. Key components of GRAP Stage 3 include a complete ban on all non-essential construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region (NCR). Furthermore, the operation of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles is strictly prohibited in Delhi, a move designed to reduce vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to the city's air woes.

The health implications of such prolonged exposure to 'Very Poor' air are profound.

Health advisories remain firmly in place, urging sensitive groups—including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions—to avoid outdoor physical activities altogether. The general public is also advised to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and to wear N-95 masks to mitigate the inhalation of harmful particulate matter.

As Delhi navigates this annual post-Diwali health emergency, the urgent need for long-term, sustainable solutions to combat air pollution becomes ever more apparent.