Delhi's air quality plummets; stubble burning, firecrackers could worsen crisis
Delhi's air quality has dropped sharply, with some areas like Akshardham (AQI 426) and Anand Vihar (AQI 418) now in the 'severe' zone.
The city average sits at a worrying AQI 268.
Even though the weather is clear and temperatures are mild, stagnant conditions are trapping more pollution than usual.
Cars contribute to pollution
Cars are a big part of the problem—responsible for about 16% of total emissions on Saturday, according to the Decision Support System.
Stubble burning nearby and Diwali fireworks are expected to make things worse, possibly pushing air quality into even more dangerous territory.
Neighboring cities also struggling with poor air
Neighboring cities like Ghaziabad (AQI 324) and Noida (AQI 298) are also struggling with poor air.
This trend is likely to continue across the National Capital Region as Diwali approaches.
Authorities take steps to clear air
Authorities have started using water sprinklers at spots like India Gate to help clear the air, but nine out of Delhi's 38 monitoring stations already show 'very poor' levels.
With Diwali coming up, expect more anti-pollution steps soon.