Visibility has dropped sharply, and residents report respiratory discomfort amid the dense haze that has reduced sunlight and blanketed landmarks such as India Gate. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi currently stands at 367, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category, with some areas recording ‘severe’ levels of pollution. Jahangirpuri in North Delhi recorded the highest AQI at 459 followed by IIT Delhi and Punjabi Bagh, which recorded AQI levels of at 445, with PM2.5 emerging as the dominant pollutant.
The Delhi government plans to induce artificial rain if air pollution levels increase post Diwali and Chhath Puja, according to sources.
One trial of artificial rain was conducted near Delhi Airport. In a bid to control air pollution, the Delhi government has conducted two trials of artificial rain in the last 15 days, sources confirmed. The Supreme Court on Monday gave a nod to bursting certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8 stating lack of data to decide on a complete ban as solution to Delhi’s annual pollution problem. The complete ban on firecrackers will be restored on November 9, the court said. The use of firecrackers shall be confined between 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the two days, that is, the one before and on the Diwali day, the court said.
