NEW DELHI: Two days after Diwali, Delhi on Wednesday was blanketed by a dense layer of smog, as air air pollution ranges within the capital rose sharply. The Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB) recorded an Air High quality Index (AQI) of 345, categorised as ‘very poor’.Some areas skilled even worse situations. Early morning readings at 6.15 am confirmed AQI round 380 in Ashok Vihar, Bawana and Dilshad Backyard. Different elements of town, together with DTU, IGI Airport and Lodhi Highway, recorded AQI under 300, falling within the ‘poor’ class.On Tuesday, 4 stations — Dwarka (417), Wazirpur (423), Anand Vihar (404), and Ashok Vihar (404) — entered the ‘extreme’ air pollution class, in accordance with the SAMEER app developed by the CPCB. Town’s 24-hour common AQI, reported at 4 pm, additionally remained within the ‘very poor’ vary at 345, increased than Sunday’s 326.Authorities warned that air high quality might deteriorate additional within the coming days, with Stage II of the Graded Response Motion Plan (GRAP) now in impact throughout Delhi-NCR. The choice adopted forecasts from the India Meteorological Division (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).Transport emissions contributed 15.6% of Delhi’s air pollution on Monday, whereas industries and different sources accounted for 23.3%, in accordance with the Resolution Assist System (DSS).Residents reported well being issues, together with respiratory difficulties and eye irritation. “Air pollution hasn’t simply elevated right now; it’s been rising for years,” mentioned Sagar, a neighborhood resident. “Everybody blames politicians, however individuals themselves are accountable. Firecrackers are a alternative — then individuals complain the federal government isn’t doing something.”Visuals on Tuesday morning confirmed Akshardham partially obscured by haze. The Supreme Court docket had not too long ago allowed the sale and bursting of inexperienced firecrackers in Delhi-NCR between 6 am and seven pm, and once more from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali eve and the pageant day.The CPCB categorises AQI as ‘good’ (0–50), ‘passable’ (51–100), ‘reasonable’ (101–200), ‘poor’ (201–300), ‘very poor’ (301–400), and ‘extreme’ (401–500).