Delhi chokes after Diwali as several places record AQI at 999

A day after Diwali a thick haze engulfed the national capital region which recorded an overall Air Quality Index of 319.

The AQI at several other places in the national capital reached 999 marks falling in the hazardous category.

The AQI in Satyawati College, ITI Shahdra, Jhilmil Industrial Area, Anand Vihar, Patparganj, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, RK Puram, Rohini, Dwarka, Okhla were recorded at 999. 

The complications of breathing in hazardous air quality may lead to serious health effects.

The air quality started deteriorating rapidly from 7 pm. The AQI was 281 at 7 pm. It rose to 291 at 8 pm and further deteriorated to 294 at 9 pm and 296 at 10 pm, according to the CPCB.

The particulate matter 2.5 in north campus was recorded at 2000 on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the AQI in several other places of the national Capital region was recorded in the "Very unhealthy" category. The AQI in Gurugram was recorded at 330, Greater Noida 228, Faridabad 448 and 327 in Noida. 

The Supreme Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. It had also allowed manufacture and sale of only "green crackers", which have a low light and sound emission and less harmful chemicals.

The court had asked the police to ensure that banned firecrackers were not sold and said in case of any violation, the station house officer (SHO) of the police station concerned would be held personally liable and it would amount to committing contempt of the court.

But despite the apex court order, there were reports of its violation from many areas long after 10 pm.

(With inputs from PTI)