Delhi's air quality remains critically poor, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 345 on Wednesday morning, marking the second consecutive day of severe pollution following Diwali celebrations. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that 34 out of 38 monitoring stations in the capital are in the red zone, indicating 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality levels. Areas like Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur reported alarming AQI levels of 433 and 401, respectively.

The pollution crisis has been exacerbated by widespread firecracker use during Diwali, which violated the Supreme Court's restrictions allowing only green crackers to be used during specific hours. Despite the court's orders, many residents continued to burst crackers late into the night, contributing to a significant spike in pollution levels. On Diwali night, PM2.5 levels soared to 675 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest since 2021.

Haryana has emerged as the most polluted state, with eight of the ten cities with the worst air quality located there. The Delhi government has attributed the worsening air quality to stubble burning in Punjab, with officials claiming that the AAP government in Punjab has not effectively managed the issue.

In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stricter regulations on construction activities and a ban on diesel generators, except for essential services. Health experts are advising residents to wear N95 masks when outdoors to mitigate health risks associated with the toxic air.

The situation is expected to persist, with forecasts indicating that the AQI will remain in the 'very poor' category for the coming days. The government is under pressure to enforce more stringent measures to combat the pollution crisis, especially as the winter months approach, which typically see a rise in smog levels due to various factors, including stubble burning and low wind speeds.