
Delhi's AQI Surpasses 450 Ahead of Diwali Celebrations
What Happened?
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 488 on November 4, indicating severe pollution levels. This surpasses last year's Diwali AQI, raising concerns ahead of the festival.
Key points
- Delhi's AQI hit 488 at 11:00 am on November 4.
- The average AQI was 410 on November 3, 2026.
- Last year's Diwali AQI was 376 on October 20, 2025.
- Pollution levels are expected to rise further as Diwali approaches.
- New anti-pollution measures have been implemented but show limited effectiveness.
Key insights
- The significant rise in AQI before Diwali suggests that pollution control measures may not be sufficient.
- Increased pollution levels could lead to health advisories for residents during the festival.
- The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of current anti-pollution strategies.
Why it matters
The worsening air quality could impact public health and safety during the Diwali celebrations.
Entities
Source
India Today

