Air pollution in the national capital Delhi has reached an alarming and critical level right ahead of Diwali, while despite slow wind speeds and various restrictions, heavy bursting of firecrackers has pushed the Air Quality Index in twenty three areas of Delhi beyond the four hundred mark, entering the severe category. By seven बजकर five minutes am on November eight, two thousand twenty six, Delhi recorded an average AQI of three hundred eighty four, which falls under the very poor category, while this marks the most polluted pre-Diwali air recorded in the last ten years, making breathing extremely difficult for residents.
Looking at specific localities, Jahangirpuri recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of four hundred fifty. Meanwhile, RK Puram recorded four hundred forty eight, Rohini four hundred forty five, Punjabi bagh four hundred forty nine, NSIT Dwarka four hundred forty one, IIT Delhi four hundred forty five, and Bawana recorded four hundred forty six. These are the regions in Delhi where air quality has deteriorated to the most critical levels, creating a severe health hazard for the local population.
According to data released by administration and pollution control boards, Bawana recorded an AQI of four hundred forty six under the severe category, Burari Crossing four hundred fourteen under severe, Alipur four hundred thirteen under severe, Subhash Nagar and Rajouri Garden area three hundred eighty four under very poor, Burari three hundred seventy under very poor, Aya Nagar three hundred sixty five under very poor, Badarpur three hundred forty nine under very poor, Anand Vihar three hundred forty four under very poor, and Ashok Vihar recorded three hundred twenty three under very poor category.
This time, the air quality a day before Diwali has been recorded as the most polluted in the past ten years and the second most polluted in the past eleven years. Analyzing the AQI of previous days, November seven recorded three hundred sixty nine, November six recorded three hundred eighty two, November five recorded three hundred sixty nine, November four recorded three hundred seventy seven, November three recorded three hundred fifty, November two recorded three hundred twenty four, and November one recorded two hundred sixty one. Weather forecasts indicate that pollution levels may worsen further and remain in the severe category on November eight and nine.
Amid rising pollution, day temperatures are also showing a steady decline. Maximum temperatures are expected to drop further by twenty six to twenty eight degrees Celsius over the next three days. On Saturday, the maximum temperature was recorded at thirty point five degrees Celsius, which was one degree Celsius above normal, while the minimum temperature stood at sixteen point two degrees Celsius.
In view of the worsening situation, the administration has issued strict rules and directions for strict action regarding firecrackers. To control pollution, only CSIR-NEERI certified green crackers are permitted. Regarding time limits, bursting crackers was permitted only between six to seven am and eight to ten pm on November eight, while strict prohibition has been imposed on bursting crackers within a three hundred meter radius of silence zones, including hospitals, health centers, old age homes, and educational institutions.
Barium-based crackers, traditional crackers, and string crackers are strictly prohibited. Violating these rules will lead to the confiscation of crackers, cancellation of vendor licenses, and strict prosecution action including police FIR registration. In accordance with Supreme Court orders, a complete ban on firecrackers remains enforced starting from November nine to prevent further degradation of air quality.