Overview
- Delhi’s citywide AQI hovered around 351–359 in the very poor to severe bands, with 35 of 38 stations in the red zone and several hotspots breaching 400.
- Hourly PM2.5 concentrations spiked overnight to 675 µg/m³, with analysts and officials noting stagnant winds and seasonal conditions that trapped pollutants.
- The Supreme Court’s limited window for ‘green’ firecrackers was widely flouted, and Delhi Police registered over 100 cases for violations along with dozens tied to illegal sales.
- Multiple monitoring sites showed missing or saturated readings during peak hours, raising questions about data continuity during the worst of the pollution surge.
- Hospitals reported a sharp rise in respiratory complaints and more than 250 burn injuries, as political leaders traded blame over stubble burning and enforcement while CAQM kept GRAP curbs in effect and forecasts warned poor air could persist for a few days.