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Weather
Delhi's AQI surges to 331 as Diwali pollution spike pushes many areas into severe zone
✍️ India Today
🗓 03 Nov 2026, 10:31 AM
👁 22
The Air Quality Index in Delhi rose to 331, placing large parts of the capital in the severe pollution category as Diwali approaches.
Delhi's air quality index (AQI) climbed to 331 on Monday, a level that classifies the city’s air as severely polluted. The reading, released by the national monitoring agency, placed a significant portion of the capital in the "severe" zone, the highest health risk category for residents.
The spike comes as the city prepares for Diwali celebrations, a period traditionally associated with higher pollutant concentrations due to firecracker usage and increased traffic. Authorities have issued health advisories, urging vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor exposure.
Environmental officials said the current AQI reflects a combination of stagnant weather patterns and heightened emissions. They have called for stricter enforcement of existing pollution control measures and have reminded the public of the importance of using cleaner alternatives for festivities.
The Delhi government is monitoring the situation closely and has pledged to take additional steps if air quality deteriorates further, including temporary restrictions on certain activities that contribute to smog formation.
The spike comes as the city prepares for Diwali celebrations, a period traditionally associated with higher pollutant concentrations due to firecracker usage and increased traffic. Authorities have issued health advisories, urging vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor exposure.
Environmental officials said the current AQI reflects a combination of stagnant weather patterns and heightened emissions. They have called for stricter enforcement of existing pollution control measures and have reminded the public of the importance of using cleaner alternatives for festivities.
The Delhi government is monitoring the situation closely and has pledged to take additional steps if air quality deteriorates further, including temporary restrictions on certain activities that contribute to smog formation.