Delhi Not ‘Dur’ as These Gujarat Cities Cross 1,000 AQI on Diwali Night
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Delhi frequently dominates the conversation around India's air pollution, but Gujarat's Diwali night readings suggest the state is hardly far behind. Air quality across major Gujarat cities deteriorated sharply during Diwali celebrations on the night of November 8 and the early hours of November 9, with several cities recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 600.
Rajkot recorded an alarming AQI of 1,041 around 1 am, while Vadodara registered 1,128 at 11.30 pm, making it the highest among the Gujarat cities listed.
Surat recorded an AQI of 932 at 11.30 pm, followed by Ahmedabad at 636 around midnight.
Diwali Night AQI: Gujarat Cities Record Severe Pollution
Highest Air Quality Index (AQI) readings on the night of November 8–9, 2026
City | AQI (Time) |
|---|---|
Vadodara | 1,128 (11:30 pm) |
Surat | 932 (11:30 pm) |
Gandhinagar | 620 (11:31 pm) |
Ahmedabad | 636 (12:00 am) |
Rajkot | 1,041 (1:00 am) |
Delhi | 1,760 (1:00 am) |
Source: AQI.in, not independently verified CPCB readings
Gandhinagar, the state's green capital, also witnessed severely polluted air, with its AQI reaching 620 at 11.31 pm.
The readings highlight the severe deterioration in air quality during the festival, when firecracker emissions add to the existing pollution load.
The situation was not limited to Gujarat, with Delhi recording an AQI of 1,760 around 1 am, making it the most polluted city of the world during the night.
These exceptionally high readings point to hazardous air conditions during the peak Diwali celebrations, raising concerns over the health risks posed by the pollution, particularly for children, elderly people and those with respiratory conditions.
According to India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the National Air Quality Index (AQI) is divided into six categories. An AQI of 0–50 is classified as 'Good', indicating minimal health impact, while 51–100 is 'Satisfactory', with minor breathing discomfort possible among sensitive individuals.
A reading of 101–200 falls under 'Moderate', which may cause breathing discomfort to people with lung or heart conditions, including asthma patients. An AQI of 201–300 is categorised as 'Poor', when prolonged exposure can cause breathing discomfort to most people.
The 301–400 range is classified as 'Very Poor', with prolonged exposure increasing the risk of respiratory illness, while 401–500 is considered 'Severe', potentially affecting even healthy people and seriously impacting those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
