Delhi air quality plummets to 65 times above WHO limit two days after Diwali

Delhi's air quality has sharply declined, reaching a hazardous level of 507 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) as of Sunday morning. This is over 65 times the World Health Organization's acceptable limit, following Diwali celebrations. The AQI rose dramatically from 327 to 507 within 12 hours, despite remaining in the "very poor" range the day after Diwali. Contributing factors include increased stubble burning and local emissions, exacerbated by warm weather. A survey found that 69% of families reported respiratory issues post-Diwali, with many experiencing sore throats and eye irritation. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) is currently in effect to address the worsening air quality.