AQI after Deepavali: Visakhapatnam 264, Rajamahendravaram 220 in the ‘poor’ band; all 16 AP and Telangana cities now worse than ‘satisfactory’

The AQI after Deepavali leaves no Andhra Pradesh or Telangana city on the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily list in the “satisfactory” band. The bulletin issued at 4 pm on Monday, 9 November averages the 24 hours that take in Sunday’s festival night. Visakhapatnam reads 264 and Rajamahendravaram 220, both “poor”. The other 14 cities from the two states, Hyderabad among them, are “moderate”. A day earlier, 13 of the 16 were “satisfactory”.

Tirupati climbed from 77 to 191, Nellore from 62 to 175 and Rajamahendravaram from 104. Srikakulam reached 170, Chittoor 165, Kadapa 158, Kurnool 148 and Ongole 146, while Guntur read 139, Vijayawada 135 and Amaravati 120. Hyderabad rose from 84 to 119; the latest figure averages 12 of its 14 stations. Fine particles, PM2.5, were the main pollutant in most Andhra Pradesh cities.

Highest in three festivals for four cities

Against the bulletins issued after the last two Deepavalis, four cities have their worst reading of the three. Visakhapatnam’s 264 edges past 260 on 1 November 2024 and is more than double the 113 of 21 October 2025. Rajamahendravaram read 177 and 98 after those festivals, Tirupati 105 and 161, and Vijayawada 95 and 98. Hyderabad’s 119 sits between its 135 and 116. Visakhapatnam and Rajamahendravaram each rely on one monitoring station, so each figure reflects conditions near that station.

What the Health Ministry advises

The board’s health note links the “moderate” band to breathing trouble for people with asthma or heart and lung conditions, and the “poor” band to discomfort for most people after long exposure. The Union Health Ministry’s advisory on air pollution and health, sent to states in November 2025, asks people on poor-air days to skip outdoor walks, runs and exercise in the morning and late evening, keep doors and windows shut in those hours, and air rooms between noon and 4 pm if needed.

It also advises against burning incense or mosquito coils indoors and suggests a damp mop rather than a broom. Anyone with breathlessness, giddiness, cough, chest pain or red, watery eyes should see a doctor. Children under five, older people, pregnant women and outdoor workers face the most risk. A well-fitted N95 or N99 mask helps for short spells outside; paper masks, cloth and handkerchiefs give no real protection.

After the 2025 festival the air recovered within a day, with Hyderabad back at 73 and Visakhapatnam at 58 on 22 October. Our pre-festival report has the readings from the eve of Deepavali, and the full list is in the board’s 9 November bulletin. The next bulletin is due at 4 pm on Tuesday, 10 November; the board’s Sameer app shows hourly readings for each city.