Air quality across Haryana deteriorated sharply after Diwali, with Bahadurgarh recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 389, Rohtak 379, Bhiwani 377, Charkhi Dadri and Sirsa 363 each, and Gurugram 316, according to data reported on Monday. All six cities fell in the 'very poor' category, which covers AQI readings between 301 and 400.

Source: IANS

Air pollution experts said on Monday that firecracker emissions, paddy stubble burning and unfavourable weather conditions combined to push air quality to alarming levels across Punjab and Haryana after the festival, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via Bilkul Online

389Bahadurgarh AQI
379Rohtak AQI
377Bhiwani AQI
363Charkhi Dadri and Sirsa AQI
316Gurugram AQI

Readings in the NCR districts of Haryana worsened through Monday morning. The Hindu BusinessLine reported that Bahadurgarh's AQI stood at 395 at 9 a.m., up from 387 at 6 a.m. and 354 at 1 a.m., while Gurugram's rose to 328 at 9 a.m. from 312 at 6 a.m. and 291 at 1 a.m. The India Meteorological Department had predicted 'severe' category air pollution for November 8 and 9.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region are under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), activated by the Commission for Air Quality Management on November 6 after pollution levels climbed into the 'severe' range, and Haryana's NCR districts, including Bahadurgarh and Gurugram, sit inside that emergency framework.

In neighbouring Punjab, Mandi Gobindgarh recorded an AQI of 445 on November 8, in the 'severe' category, before easing to 399 on November 9, according to the reported Central Pollution Control Board data — underlining that the post-Diwali pollution spike has hit the whole region, not one state alone.

Source: IANS