NEW DELHI: After five consecutive days of 'poor' air quality, Delhi's pollution levels are expected to worsen significantly in the coming days, potentially reaching the 'severe' category (AQI above 400) on Tuesday — a day after Diwali — due to emissions from firecrackers. According to forecasts, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is likely to deteriorate to the 'very poor' category on Monday and further to 'severe' on Tuesday. On Saturday, the city's AQI stood at 268. Experts warn that if firecrackers are burst beyond the permitted time slots — 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm — the air quality may plunge more sharply. The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has predicted that pollution levels could touch 'severe' on Oct 21 and remain in the 'poo

See Full Page