Air quality in Delhi and its suburbs marginally improved on Monday due to rain and favourable wind speed caused by a western disturbance affecting northwest India.
The AQI on Diwali day last year was 312, while it was 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, and 281 in 2018. The AQI was 342 on Diwali day in 2015, 431 in 2016, and 319 in 2017.
Three major Indian cities Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai were in the top 10. Kolkata was fourth on the list with AQI at 196, followed by Mumbai in ninth place with AQI at 156.
The health department advised people not to smoke tobacco products, avoid burning mosquito coils and incense sticks in closed premises, and avoid burning wood, leaves, crop residues, and waste.