Three Days After Diwali, Pollution Levels Remain Severe in Delhi

Smog encapsulated Delhi/NCR region on Wednesday as pollution levels remained severe.

Smog encapsulates Delhi/NCR region. (Photo: Aadeetya Sriram/The Quint)

Delhi on Wednesday morning witnessed severe levels of air pollution, marked with low visibility, even three days after Diwali.

The reasons for this degradation have been attributed to smoke due to firecrackers and negligible wind speed to disperse the pollutants.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has convened a meeting at 4pm on Wednesday to discuss how to tackle the alarming levels of pollution.

According to System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality index in Delhi on Wednesday touched the 500 mark, which is deemed as severe.

To put the number in perspective, Mumbai showed a "Good to moderate" air quality index, well under 200.

The wind speed is zero. And the bursting of crackers, apart from vehicle pollution and that from power plants added to it.

Vivek Chattopadhyay, Member of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)

The next three days are forecast to be just as severe in the national capital, SAFAR added.

Also Read: Roads to be Vacuumed Every Week to Curb Pollution: Delhi Govt