Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s (DPCC) real-time readings were also indicative of the increasing levels of pollution with the rise in the numbers of crackers going off.
By 8 PM, DPCC’s Punjabi Bagh and Anand Vihar stations had PM 2.5 readings of 202 and 240 micrograms per cubic metre respectively, while PM 10 had risen to 429 and 766 micrograms per cubic metre.
Pollution peaks in the national capital during Diwali as a hazardous mix of noxious gases and respirable pollutants hang very close to the surface due to low temperature and near-stagnant wind movement.
Smoke emanating from farm fires raging across agricultural fields of neighbouring Punjab and Haryana worsens the situation.
