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Pollution Soars 50x Over WHO Limits in Delhi
9 Nov
Summary
- PM2.5 levels in Delhi reached over 50 times WHO limits.
- Pollution spiked significantly after Diwali firecracker use.
- Delhi's air quality was in 'very poor' to 'severe' categories.
On the night of November 8, 2026, Delhi's air quality plummeted as residents continued to burst firecrackers beyond the Supreme Court's 10 p.m. deadline. Official data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) revealed alarming spikes in PM2.5 concentrations.
In Akshardham, PM2.5 levels reached 760.99 micrograms per cubic meter at 11 p.m., more than 50 times the WHO's 24-hour limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter. Anand Vihar recorded a similar figure of 767 micrograms per cubic meter, also over 51 times the WHO limit.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium also reported high pollution, with PM2.5 at 702 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly 47 times the safe threshold. Consequently, Delhi's overall air quality was categorized as "very poor," with numerous localities experiencing "severe" conditions.
This yearly deterioration in air quality during winter is exacerbated by factors like lower wind speeds and temperatures, in addition to pollution from crop residue burning and festivities.
