Delhi air turns toxic ahead of Diwali as 18 stations record severe AQI, AIIMS at 402

The Air Quality Index, or AQI, combines pollution readings into one number showing how clean or polluted the air is. An AQI of 368 means Delhi's air was very poor and close to the severe level. This matters because higher readings indicate greater pollution exposure and more difficult conditions for public health.

India's AQI scale generally classifies 301–400 as 'very poor' and 401–500 as 'severe'. Delhi's overall reading reached 368 on Thursday. India Gate was at 399, while Jahangirpuri reached 459, clearly entering the severe range.

The article reports that at least 18 Delhi monitoring stations recorded severe pollution. On Wednesday, 22 stations did so. The city therefore faced widespread unhealthy air, not just one isolated hotspot. Weak winds and poor ventilation could push the overall AQI above 400 in the following days.

The pollution was widespread across Delhi. The city's overall AQI stood at 368, yet at least 18 monitoring stations recorded readings in the severe category. This shows that dangerous pollution affected multiple parts of the capital, not merely a single neighbourhood.

Jahangirpuri recorded the highest AQI at 459. IIT Delhi followed at 447, Punjabi Bagh at 446, Alipur at 437 and Vivek Vihar at 434. Nauroji Nagar Ring Road and RK Puram each recorded 416, while AIIMS reached 402. These readings were all severe.

India Gate stood at 399, just below the severe threshold. Anand Vihar was relatively better at 296, but that still fell in the poor category. The previous day, 22 stations recorded severe pollution, indicating that the crisis had already spread widely and could intensify.

The article focuses on pollution readings and weather, not detailed medical outcomes. In established health guidance, an AQI around 400 or higher indicates extremely unhealthy air. Fine particles and other pollutants can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, trigger coughing, and make breathing harder.

People with asthma, chronic lung disease or heart disease may face worsening symptoms. Children, older adults and people who work outdoors can also be more vulnerable. Short-term exposure may increase hospital visits for breathing or cardiovascular problems, while repeated exposure can contribute to longer-term lung and heart damage.

Delhi's situation was especially concerning because the overall AQI was 368 and several stations exceeded 400. Jahangirpuri reached 459, while AIIMS reached 402. The article warns that weaker winds could allow pollution to build further, increasing the importance of limiting exposure.

Wind helps move polluted air away and mix it through the atmosphere. When winds weaken, emissions from vehicles, fires, industries and other sources remain concentrated over the city. Low ventilation means the atmosphere cannot clear or disperse pollutants efficiently.

The Air Quality Early Warning System expects Delhi's ventilation index to remain below 6,000 square metres per second. Average wind speeds are expected to stay below 10 kmph. These conditions restrict dispersion, allowing pollutants to accumulate and intensify the smog blanket.

Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya said stronger winds of about 10–20 kmph on November 6 and 7 could disperse smog across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. However, winds may weaken again from November 8 to 13 because of an approaching western disturbance. That could push pollution towards its seasonal peak.

Delhi's pollution came from several sources operating together. Stubble burning was the largest specifically identified contributor, at 20.2% on Wednesday. Transport emissions followed at 15.5%. This matters because reducing pollution requires action across regional fires, traffic and local sources.

The listed neighbouring NCR districts contributed 18.8% combined: Ghaziabad accounted for 7%, Rohtak 3.8%, Gurugram 2.7%, Sonipat 2.2%, Jind 1.8% and Bhiwani 1.3%. The article separately records industries at 2.9%, residential sources at 3.8%, construction at 2.2%, waste burning at 1.3% and road dust at 1.1%.

The DSS assigned 28.5% to other sources. These figures show that Delhi's air problem crosses local boundaries. Manoj Kumar warned that farm fires, vehicles and unfavourable weather could push hotspots above an AQI of 450.

Diwali could affect Delhi's air in two ways: festival activity may add emissions, while weather determines whether those pollutants disperse. The article does not provide a separate percentage for fireworks, but it warns that pollution may rise after the festival as winds weaken.

Light easterly winds might temporarily help disperse pollutants on Diwali. Mahesh Palawat expects those winds to weaken on November 9. With slower air movement, pollutants can accumulate over the capital instead of being carried away. That could push the AQI higher after the festival.

The Air Quality Early Warning System also expects poor ventilation and average winds below 10 kmph. Manoj Kumar identified November 9 as particularly concerning. Rising farm fires, vehicle emissions and unfavourable weather could push several hotspots into the severe category, with readings above 450.

PM2.5 means particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter. These particles are much smaller than ordinary dust. The article does not specifically discuss PM2.5, but it describes pollution from stubble burning, transport, industries, waste burning, construction and road dust.

PM2.5 is commonly produced when fuels, crop residue, waste or other materials burn. Traffic and industrial processes can also release fine particles or gases that later form them. Because the particles are so small, they can travel deep into the lungs instead of stopping in the nose or throat.

Established health knowledge links repeated or heavy exposure with lung irritation, breathing problems and worsening asthma. Some particles can pass into the bloodstream and strain the heart and blood vessels. Delhi's AQI of 368 and severe station readings show why fine-particle pollution is a serious concern.