Based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) of 326 at 7am on Tuesday, Delhi is poised to have its cleanest post-Diwali day of air in eight years. The AQI reached its previous low on November 12 of 2015, when it was 360 (very poor). The October 28, 2019 figure was 368. With an AQI of 312 around 4 p.m. on Monday, Delhi's pollution levels reached the very poor category for the first time this season on Diwali. A day before Diwali, the average AQI during the previous 24 hours was 259 (poor). This worsening occurred despite the fact that the prohibition on firecrackers was disregarded starting on Monday evening, which caused the AQI to worsen even more. On Diwali, the AQI was at its second-lowest level since 2015. Prior to the dispersion of pollutants beginning on Wednesday evening as wind speeds are anticipated to increase up, the AQI was predicted to rise on Tuesday, reaching the upper end of the very poor category.

Key Points

• Based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) of 326 at 7am on Tuesday, Delhi is poised to have its cleanest post-Diwali day of air in eight years.

• Prior to the dispersion of pollutants beginning on Wednesday evening as wind speeds are anticipated to increase up, the AQI was predicted to rise on Tuesday, reaching the upper end of the very poor category.