Delhi AQI Reaches 1,331 Overnight After Diwali Celebrations
· India · India Today, Hindustan Times
Delhi's Air Quality Index peaked at 1,331 overnight following Diwali celebrations, with morning readings standing at 663 on Monday, November 9, 2026. This peak reading was nearly 69 percent higher than the post-festival level of 393 recorded on October 21, 2025. Pollution levels began rising sharply at around 10 pm on Sunday, reaching 1,153 by 11 pm before hitting the maximum level at 1:31 am. The festival smoke compounded an already severe air quality situation driven by vehicle emissions, industrial output, construction dust, and crop-residue burning. Unfavourable weather conditions and weak winds further trapped the pollutants over the National Capital Region.
Why it matters
Residents across Delhi-NCR face severe health risks from extreme air pollution that overwhelms basic respiratory defences and triggers emergency public health concerns.
Read the original report — India Today
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