Smog Alert: Delhi’s Diwali Turns Cloudy As AQI Hits 'Very Poor’ Amid Intensifying Pollution

• Image Credit: google

• Oct 31, 2024 | Kabita Pathak

The blanket of smog enveloped the city at dawn, with some areas reaching alarming pollution levels...

Digital Desk: Delhi went into Diwali festivities as pollution enveloped New Delhi, forcing air quality to drop into the ‘Very Poor’ index. The CPCB records show the AQI of Delhi reducing from 274 at 8 in the morning on Wednesday to 329 on Thursday morning. It got worse day by day as today reported an AQI of 328 that raised health concerns among the people.

Several regions have recently reported dramatic deterioration of air quality, especially particulate matter, thus, experts predict that if additional emissions from firecrackers and agricultural residue increase, the city’s air quality could worsen to a hazardous level.

A blanket of smog enveloped the city at dawn, with some areas reaching alarming
pollution levels.  The highest AQI of 419 recorded at  Anand Vihar incorporates a severe, 'very poor’ AQI of 368 at Ashok Vihar, a moderate AQI of 353 at Burari Crossing, and a ‘poor’ AQI of 301 at Chandni Chowk.

The AQI readings of yesterday were between 200 and 300, mostly at a ‘poor’ level, but with Diwali, today the authorities and health-wise experts are urging people to avoid stepping outside much and take necessary measures.

According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management, waste burning and firecrackers if they are on par with the previous years, could add an additional pollution of 15–18% in Delhi as northwesterly winds may blow the smoke to the city.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also supported the firecracker ban, saying the ban proposed was for the welfare of people and was not against any religion. “Not only campaigners and activists, but even the Supreme Court has said no to crackers because of pollution and appealed to people to celebrate Diwali with lamps as it’s the festival of lights,” he said. Environment Minister Gopal Rai said to ban the fireworks and increase public awareness.

The ‘Air Quality Index’ across the neighboring cities of Delhi, including Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Greater Noida, and Noida, was ‘poor.’