Delhi celebrates as Air Quality dips from Hazardous to Very Unhealthy

Despite little action to combat air pollution in India’s capital, Delhi, celebrations broke out across the city as the Air Quality Index (AQI) dipped into the Very Unhealthy range. This comes as a welcome ray of sunshine (not literally) after weeks of Hazardous air.

“I never thought I’d see this day,” said 45 year old John Smith, a life long Delhi resident. “No really. Literally. Air pollution is killing us all. Did you know that 30,000 people die each year in Delhi due to air pollution?”

But today is not about gloom and doom. Delhites are thrilled that the air they’re breathing is not Hazardous right now. It’s only Very Unhealthy.

Let me explain. The AQI is a number that indicates how healthy the air we breathe is.

Last month, in November, the air quality in Delhi was Hazardous on 53% of the days. And Very Unhealthy on the other days. Yes, really!

“Oh ho. Kya funda hai yaar. I just replaced my air filter at home.”

Hundreds of people poured out of their banged up white Maruti Swift Dzires to light fireworks at an intersection in a busy market in Rajouri Garden marketplace to celebrate the improvement in Air Quality.

Ironically, the toxic fumes from the fireworks immediately sent the Air Quality index back well into the Hazardous range.

It’s time to add a new row to the table above for New Delhi, where Air Quality Index is consistently above 500.

“I don’t even know how any of us are alive anymore. Did you know the AQI exceeded 1,000 a couple days ago? ONE THOUSAND,” coughed one of the jubilant Delhites.

But today, just as the celebratory fireworks were lighting up the smoggy sky, the AQI shot up into the Hazardous range. People shrugged their shoulders, stepped back into their cars and honked all the way home as they aspired for another day to celebrate Very Unhealthy air, rather than Hazardous.