Smog engulfs Delhi a day after Diwali, air quality 'hazardous' in some parts of capital

 At several locations in Delhi, firecrackers were burst on Diwali in complete disregard to the government's ban on them, coinciding with a sharp increase in fumes from farm fires.

A thick blanket of smog engulfed the national capital on Friday morning (Reuters)

Athick blanket of smog engulfed the national capital as the air quality in some parts of Delhi deteriorated to "hazardous" category a day after Diwali on Friday. In most areas, the AQI hovered around the 451 (severe) mark.

The air quality at Janpath was recorded in the "hazardous" category early on Friday, with the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentration at 655.07, according to news agency ANI. Several people in the national capital reportedly complained of itchy throat and watery eyes.

At several locations in Delhi, firecrackers were burst on Diwali in complete disregard to the government's ban on them, coinciding with a sharp increase in fumes from farm fires. The share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution increased to the season's highest at 25 per cent, PTI reported.

The share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution increased to the season's highest at 25 per cent (Reuters)

The neighbouring cities of Faridabad (424), Ghaziabad (442), Gurgaon (423) and Noida (431) also recorded 'severe' air quality.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Experts said the air quality turned severe due to unfavourable meteorological conditions -- calm winds, low temperature and low mixing height -- and a poisonous cocktail of emissions from firecrackers and stubble burning, PTI reported.

"Fog conditions intensified in Delhi-NCR on Friday morning, lowering visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport to the range of 200 to 500 metres at 5:30 am. Visibility in parts of the city dropped to 200 metres," PTI quoted RK Jenamani, senior scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD), as saying.

Air quality forecast agency SAFAR said the PM2.5 concentration would shoot up rapidly on Friday, with the AQI even crossing the 500 mark. Relief is expected only from the evening of November 7 but AQI will fluctuate within the "very poor" range, the air quality forecast agency said.

A day ahead of Diwali, the air quality in Delhi entered the "very poor" category for the first time this season and AQI was recorded at 303 on Tuesday.

MUMBAI

Mumbai, however, recorded a moderate AQI of around 149-165. SAFAR has forecast that the pollution levels will rise in the city and will touch the "very poor" category later on Friday.