Delhi: Air quality slips to 'poor' post Dussehra celebrations

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 278 on Saturday night, which falls in the 'poor' category.

According to the latest AQI data, the air quality in Delhi's Lodhi Road area showed levels of prominent pollutants PM (particulate matter) 10 at 278.

The deterioration of air quality comes after firecrackers went up in the air on the occasion of Dussehra even after repeated appeals by authorities to conduct eco-friendly celebrations.

The air quality temporarily improved on Friday after a drizzle, but did could not last for long.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

Recently, Grammy award-winning Canadian singer Bryan Adams, who was in the national capital for a live concert, posted an image on Instagram highlighting the alarming pollution levels the region is grappling with.

"New Delhi, India ???? you we're incredible tonight. In this photo, if you look carefully you can see my shadow silhouetted in the dust and smoke of the venue over the audience. I've never seen that before. Magical India. Namaste ???? #bryanadamsultimate," read the post.

Air quality index (AQI) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 with the help of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. AQI uses around eight-ten parameters to judge the overall air quality which is then further graded as moderate, poor, good and so on.