Delhi's air quality slips into 'severe' category morning after Deepavali, AQI at 404

People commute during early morning hours after Diwali night in New Delhi on November 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap Air quality across the national capital continued to deteriorate, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the 'Severe' category in parts of Delhi the morning after Deepavali in the early hours on Monday (November 9, 2026), according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).A thick layer of smog engulfed several parts of the city, significantly impairing visibility during the early morning hours, including around the Inderlok area.According to the CPCB, the air quality station at ITO recorded an alarming AQI of 406 at around 4:20 a.m., categorising it as 'Severe'.Meanwhile, several other key areas in the capital continued to reel under the 'Very Poor' air quality bracket. Rajiv Chowk clocked an AQI of 381 at 1:30 a.m., while the area surrounding South Extension registered an AQI of 360 at 4:00 a.m. People commute during early morning hours after Diwali night in New Delhi on November 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that a campaign was being orchestrated at Mr. Kejriwal's residence to target the Hindu festival of Deepavali and Sanatan Dharma under the pretext of pollution.In a post on X, Mr. Mishra claimed that leaders and paid celebrities would be rolled out to run a targeted narrative.Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is in force across Delhi-NCR.Pollution 50 times WHO limitsWith Delhiites bursting firecrackers way past the 10 p.m. deadline set by the Supreme Court for Deepavali night, air pollution shot up to over 50 times World Health Organisation (WHO) limits in parts of the city, official data showed.The level of PM2.5 (a major pollutant) in Akshardham was 760.99 micrograms per cubic meter at 11 p.m. on Sunday (November 8, 2026), as per Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data. This is about 50.73 times the WHO permissible limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter for a 24-hour period.The Delhi Government, ahead of Deepavali, had appealed to people to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions on sale and use of green firecrackers.The top court, on November 2, while permitting the manufacture, sale, and bursting of approved firecrackers, subjected it to specific timings for Deepavali night and directed to restore the complete ban on November 9.(with inputs from ANI) Published - November 09, 2026 08:00 am IST