Delhi's air at 'very poor' on eve of Diwali as Grap Stage 2 kicks in

The capital's air quality slipped to the 'very poor' category by late Sunday evening, a day before Diwali, prompting CAQM to impose Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap). Stage 2 restricts use of DG sets across the NCR and bars interstate buses, except those running on electricity, CNG or BS-VI diesel, from entering Delhi.

According to forecasts, unfavourable weather conditions and emissions from firecrackers on Diwali are likely to worsen air quality to the 'severe' levels by Tuesday.

At 4pm Sunday, the city's average air quality index (AQI) during the preceding 24 hours stood at 296, in the upper end of the 'poor' zone. By 7pm, the AQI had slipped into the 'very poor' range at 302.

Air quality is likely to worsen to the higher end of 'very poor' on the festival day (Monday). Analysts said the impact of emissions from firecrackers is likely to stay in the air through most of the week, with no respite from extremely toxic air likely until at least Friday, as winds are expected to remain calm.

The forecast by the Air Quality Early Warning System indicates further deterioration of air quality to the higher end of the 'very poor' category is expected by Diwali day. Citizens were advised to monitor local AQI and take precautions, as authorities enact Grap provisions to curb activities that worsen pollution during this period of heightened health risk for vulnerable groups.