Diwali firecrackers drag Delhi air quality back to Severe category

Post Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR region has worsened with Delhi AQI falling back into the 'severe' category on November 14, Tuesday morning. The AQI in Delhi-NCR region ranges between 160 to 487. Additionally, Delhi was the most polluted city in the world on November 13, Monday. 

What

• On Tuesday morning, the air quality in various locations across the state of Delhi deteriorated to 'severe' levels, sparking a political dispute between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party.
• The contention revolves around the late-night bursting of crackers during Diwali celebrations on November 12, Sunday.
• According to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an average AQI of 361 at 9 am on Tuesday morning. 
• The air quality in Dwarka was 406 on Tuesday morning according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data and the AQI in Anand Vihar was at 487. 
• While the air quality index in ITO was recorded at 430, the AQI in Jahangirpuri was recorded at 428, according to the CPCB data. The AQI in RK Puram was 417, while in Punjabi Bagh, it was 410.
• In Noida, as per the CPCB data, the AQI was at 406 in Sector 125 and in Sector 62, the AQI was clocked at 377.
• The air quality in Gurugram was also in the 'severe' category on Tuesday morning. The AQI in Gurugram Sector 51 was recorded at 431 according to CPCB. 

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai speaks

• On Monday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that the government would enforce the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme in the event that the air quality index (AQI) surpasses the 'severe plus' category, which is defined as 450 or above.
• Rai had also announced that preparations were underway to execute the ‘artificial rain’ project presented by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
• Rai had met with experts from IIT Kanpur regarding cloud seeding for the rains and that the Delhi government would be receive a detailed proposal from IIT Kanpur which would be submitted to the Supreme Court. If the approval came through, then the plan would be implemented on November 20-21 as it is expected to be cloudy on those days.

Post-Diwali AQI

• After Diwali, Delhi-NCR saw a rise in the pollution levels as people burst crackers on Diwali night, despite the ban on firecrackers. 
• The average AQI on November 13, Monday, was 358. 
• However, before Diwali on Friday and Saturday, the capital region received light showers in several areas which improved the air quality substantially. 
• On Saturday, the overall air quality was in the 'poor' category, according to the CPCB. The AQI stood at 279.
• On Diwali, November 12, the city recorded its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years, with the average AQI at 218. However, because of the extensive bursting of firecrackers towards late evening, Delhi's air went back to being unbreathable once again. 

Every year, as winter approaches, the air quality in Delhi and other northern regions worsens. During this time period, cold air traps pollutants emanating from industrial activities, vehicles, construction dust, and the burning of crop stubble.