Delhi's air quality slips into 'severe' category on Diwali, AQI at 404

NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality deteriorated further on Monday morning, with parts of the national capital slipping into the 'severe' category as a thick blanket of smog reduced visibility across several areas. Data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the air quality monitoring station at ITO recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 406 at around 4.20am, placing it in the 'Severe' category. A thick layer of smog engulfed several parts of the city during the early morning hours, significantly reducing visibility. The Inderlok area was among the locations affected. Several other parts of Delhi continued to record 'very poor' air quality. Rajiv Chowk recorded an AQI of 381 at 1.30am, while the area around South Extension registered 360 at 4am. Meanwhile, Delhi minister Kapil Mishra launched an attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that a campaign was being orchestrated from the latter's residence to target the Hindu festival of Diwali and Sanatan Dharma under the pretext of pollution. In a post on X, Mishra claimed that leaders and paid celebrities would be rolled out to push a targeted narrative. Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in force across Delhi-NCR as authorities continue to contend with deteriorating air quality.