New Delhi, November 8: The air quality at several places in Delhi deteriorated on Thursday morning, a day after Diwali festival concluded. Major pollutant PM2.5 and PM10 are at above 500 in several areas of Delhi, bringing air pollution level to 'Hazardous' category. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, PM2.5 and PM10 are at 500 in Lodhi Road area. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers a PM 2.5 density below 25 micrograms to be safe.

The air quality reached to 'Hazardous' level in Punjabi Bagh, Anand Vihar, Sonia Vihar, Mandir Marg, RK Puram, DITE Okhla, Mundka, Narela, New Delhi and Dwarka besides other areas a day after people burst firecrackers to celebrate Diwali. The air pollution level in Delhi was expected to rise post the festival. The Supreme Court had limited the time for bursting crackers between 8-10 pm on Diwali. Delhi Air Pollution: People Stage Protest Outside Environment Ministry Office.

However, people started bursting crackers soon after sunset around 6 pm and continued well after 10 pm, an IANS report said. The air quality in the national capital and surrounding areas on Wednesday was recorded as "very poor", a slight improvement from last year's Diwali night. The AQI at 9 pm was 291, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Last Diwali, the AQI was recorded at 326.

The Supreme Court-empowered Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority or EPCA has banned the entry of trucks into Delhi between November 8 and November 10 amid projections of the further rise in pollution level in the national capital. Delhi Air Pollution: 'Halt All Construction Activities from November 1', EPCA Tells DPCC.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) had warned that PM2.5 levels are expected to spike, bringing the region's air quality back to 'emergency' for two days -- November 8 and 9 -- if Delhi bursts even 50 per cent of firecrackers that it did on last year's Diwali.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2018 06:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).