NEW DELHI: Delhi, the capital of India, woke up to a smoky skyline as the aftermath of Diwali celebrations left air quality in a perilous state.
Despite a ban on fireworks due to heightened pollution levels, residents continued to ignite crackers, contributing to the city’s persistent battle with toxic air.
For weeks, Delhi has grappled with deteriorating air quality, prompting authorities to take measures such as declaring an early winter break for schools to shield children from the harmful effects of pollution.
The city faces consistent air pollution challenges throughout the year, stemming from factors like vehicular emissions and dust. However, the situation exacerbates during winter due to crop stubble burning in neighboring states and low wind speeds that trap pollutants, including those from firecrackers, in the lower atmosphere.
As Monday dawned, the Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi’s 37 monitoring stations, reported by the Sameer app, surged beyond 200. Numerous locations recorded readings surpassing 350 on the AQI scale, specifically measuring PM 2.5 levels—fine particulate matter known for causing respiratory issues and other health concerns.
AQI levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, while those between 201 and 300 fall into the poor category. An AQI exceeding 300 is categorized as “very poor,” and any figure surpassing 500 is deemed “severe.” Prolonged exposure to heightened pollution levels can result in discomfort and breathing difficulties for residents.
India’s Supreme Court had imposed a ban on the use of firecrackers during Diwali, allowing only “green crackers” designed to reduce emissions. However, enforcement of this ban remains challenging, and the issue has taken on political dimensions, with allegations of targeting Hindu festivals.
Delhi’s environment minister, Gopal Rai, accused leaders from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “inciting” people to ignite firecrackers. The BJP had not officially responded to these allegations at the time of reporting.
The decline in air quality on Monday followed rain on Friday morning, a temporary respite that briefly alleviated pollution levels over the weekend. Despite these challenges, the battle against air pollution in Delhi remains a complex issue requiring sustained efforts and public cooperation.
