New Delhi: Residents of Delhi-NCR are gearing up to celebrate Diwali today, with some extending celebrations into tomorrow. However, with worsening air quality levels in the city, there is rising speculation over how weather conditions might impact pollution levels after the festivities. Today’s weather forecast indicates mist and a clear sky, with a minimum temperature around 21 degrees Celsius.

Delhi AQIAccording to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s AQI was in the 'Very Poor' category on Diwali morning. What's more important to know is how the air quality will fare the day after the festival.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, said the air quality in the national capital is likely to be in the "very poor" category (AQI 300 to 400) on Thursday and Friday. The air quality may also reach the severe category on these two days in case of additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble or waste fires. According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management, if stubble burning occurs at levels similar to the last five years, it could contribute 15-18 per cent to Delhi's pollution on these dates. This is exacerbated by winds from the northwest, which may carry smoke into the city. Stages of AQIUnder the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR during winter, the air quality is categorised into four stages: Stage I -- "Poor" (AQI 201-300), Stage II -- "Very Poor" (AQI 301-400), Stage III -- "Severe" (AQI 401-450) and Stage IV -- "Severe Plus" (AQI above 450).Last year, Diwali was celebrated on November 12 and Delhi recorded its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years, with the average AQI at 218. Delhi Records Second-Hottest Day This October On Diwali EveOctober in Delhi has mirrored the weather conditions of the previous year, with Wednesday recording the second-highest maximum temperature of the month at 36.1 degrees Celsius on the eve of Diwali, 5.1 degrees above normal, the weather department said. The highest temperature of the month was recorded on October 19 at 36.2 degrees Celsius.In October 2023, the mercury touched a peak of 36.7 degrees Celsius, the same as in both 2021 and 2020. Also, just like in 2023, this year's October didn't see any rainy days.(With agency inputs)