AQI Soars above 400 as Cold Air Traps Smoke
Bhopal: The glow of Diwali was overshadowed by a severe air quality crisis across major cities in Madhya Pradesh, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting hazardous levels overnight. Heavy firecracker use, combined with dipping temperatures and low wind speed, trapped smoke and fine particulate matter, pushing several areas into the ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Severe’ categories.
Hazardous Air Quality Report
According to the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the air quality reached alarming levels:
| City | Peak AQI | Pollution Level |
| Gwalior | 410 | Severe (Hazardous) |
| Indore | 370–400+ | Very Poor |
| Jabalpur | 349 | Very Poor |
| Sagar | 341 | Very Poor |
| Bhopal | 329–335 | Very Poor |
| Ujjain | 320 | Very Poor |
= Why the Spike?
Experts explain that the intense bursting of crackers drastically increased pollutants (PM2.5, PM10). The combination of a sharp drop in temperature and stagnant, cold air prevented these particles from dispersing, allowing them to remain suspended near the ground for hours. This spike, fueled by existing vehicle emissions, has raised serious health concerns for residents.
