Delhi Records Worst Post-Diwali Air in Five Years, AQI Hits 567
Toxic haze engulfs Delhi for third consecutive day.
Delhi remained shrouded in hazardous air pollution on October 22, 2025, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) peaking at 567 in the "hazardous" category, marking the worst post-Diwali air quality in five years. The citywide AQI was recorded at 345 at 7 AM, escalating to 518 by evening, driven by PM2.5 concentrations averaging 383 µg/m³—exceeding World Health Organization limits by over 75 times—and PM10 levels reaching 518. Of 38 monitoring stations tracked by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 36 registered in the "very poor" to "severe" range, with Wazirpur (433), Bawana (423), and Jahangirpuri (407) among the most affected. Despite a 77.5% reduction in stubble burning, widespread violation of the Supreme Court’s 8–10 PM restriction on green firecrackers—continuing until 2 AM—exacerbated the crisis, compounded by low wind speeds and temperature inversion.
Health authorities reported a 30% surge in respiratory emergencies within 24 hours, with hospitals treating increased cases of bronchitis, asthma exacerbations, and cardiovascular distress. Pulmonologist Dr. Suneela Garg of AIIMS described the pollution as a "silent public health emergency," noting overnight PM2.5 spikes to 675 µg/m³—equivalent to the health impact of smoking 15–20 cigarettes daily. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women, face significantly elevated risks of acute respiratory illness, heart attacks, and long-term conditions such as COPD and lung cancer. Historical data indicates over 200,000 pollution-related hospitalizations in Delhi between 2022 and 2024, with early trends suggesting a sharper rise this season.
Political tensions escalated as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government for inaction. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the administration’s preparedness, citing unfulfilled promises of artificial rain induction and alleging data suppression during a reported AQI spike to 1,079 on Diwali night. Environment Minister Gopal Rai accused the ruling party of failing to enforce restrictions. In response, BJP leaders attributed the crisis to stubble burning in AAP-governed Punjab, presenting evidence of record farm fire incidents on Diwali, and held residents accountable for prolonged firecracker use despite judicial directives.
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Under Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), authorities imposed bans on diesel generators, coal usage, and non-essential construction, while mandating anti-smog gun deployment and enhanced road dust suppression. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) intensified mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling across major corridors. Meteorological forecasts indicate a possible wind shift by October 24, potentially lowering AQI to the "very poor" range, though immediate relief remains unlikely.
Delhi’s air quality crisis underscores systemic challenges in enforcement, inter-state coordination, and public compliance. With health, governance, and environmental stakes at their highest, urgent and sustained intervention is imperative to prevent a prolonged winter pollution surge.
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