Air quality in New Delhi, India’s capital, dipped to “dangerous” levels on Tuesday. This decline was partly attributed to the abundance of fireworks set off during the Diwali festival, as reported by IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company.
According to IQAir, New Delhi had the worst air quality of any major city worldwide on that day, with levels of particulate matter surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended limit by over 59 times.
The festival, which began officially on October 20, is known for contributing to air pollution. This happens due to firecracker use, agricultural burning, and regular emissions from vehicles and industries prevalent in urban areas.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India didn’t entirely agree with IQAir’s alarm but still classified the air quality in New Delhi as “very poor,” expecting this situation to persist throughout the week.
Awareness of the air quality issues linked to Diwali fireworks is significant in India, especially since it’s the country’s most prominent holiday. The Festival of Lights symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, encouraging celebrations that include everything from lamps to fireworks.
During this time, the autumn smog season, which involves smoke from agricultural fires, has complicating the air quality issues. Despite a long-standing total ban on fireworks, enforcement has proven challenging due to the cultural significance of fireworks and New Delhi’s population of over 20 million.
This month, India’s Supreme Court modified the fireworks ban to permit “green firecrackers,” which are slightly less polluting than regular ones. However, the enforcement remains an issue for city officials who struggle to ensure compliance with this new rule.
On Tuesday, reports indicated that traditional fireworks were still widely available in shops across New Delhi. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s request for limited fireworks usage during specific hours has largely gone unheeded.
A BBC reporter, Vikas Pandey, described the experience upon entering Delhi, noting the low visibility and choking air quality. He mentioned that typical landmarks were hidden behind a dense layer of smog.
In neighboring Pakistan, officials have raised concerns as air quality in Punjab has dropped to alarming levels due to pollutants drifting from India’s Diwali celebrations. Lahore experienced some of the worst air quality in the world, prompting emergency response measures like anti-smog units and water sprinkling to mitigate the effects.
