Sat Nov 02 14:13:18 UTC 2024: ## Delhi’s Air Quality Improves After Diwali, But Improvement May Be Short-Lived

**New Delhi:** Delhi’s air quality has improved to the “poor” category on Saturday, two days after Diwali, thanks to strong surface winds dispersing pollutants. The city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 291 at 8 am, a notable improvement from Friday’s 339 (very poor). This positive development comes despite widespread violations of the firecracker ban on Thursday and Friday evenings.

While the 24-hour average AQI showed improvement, real-time data revealed stark spikes in PM2.5 levels, with some areas experiencing a 15-fold increase on Thursday night. PM2.5 levels reached alarming highs of over 1,800 µg/m³, significantly exceeding the WHO’s safe limit of 15 µg/m³ and India’s national standard of 60 µg/m³.

Experts attribute the improvement to strong winds, which effectively dispersed the pollutants. However, this respite is expected to be short-lived as calmer winds are forecast for Sunday, potentially leading to a build-up of local pollutants and a deterioration in air quality.

Data from Thursday night shows that PM2.5 concentrations increased dramatically in residential areas like Nehru Nagar and Anand Vihar, with peak levels exceeding 900 µg/m³. In contrast, industrial areas like Narela and Najafgarh saw a more moderate increase, suggesting that firecrackers were the primary contributor to the pollution surge.

Furthermore, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) reported increased noise levels during Diwali, with 22 out of 31 noise monitoring stations recording higher decibel levels compared to last year. Karol Bagh, in central Delhi, recorded the highest decibel level, averaging 88.7 dB(A).

While Delhi residents are enjoying a temporary reprieve from severe air pollution, experts warn that the situation could worsen with the return of calm winds. This highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the firecracker ban and long-term measures to address the city’s chronic air pollution problem.

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