Firecrackers were burnt in many areas of Delhi on Diwali night. Despite the ban on firecrackers in Delhi, cases of large-scale violations have come to light across the city. However, even after this, the air quality index (AQI) readings showed only a “very poor” level instead of “severe”. According to pollution monitoring bodies like Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and India Meteorological Department (IMD), this is a 24-hour average of data. This means that even in the last 24 hours, the AQI was expected to be as bad as it was, but it still remains at a very poor level rather than very severe.
Analysis by the watchdog shows that night-time pollution levels on Diwali were alarmingly high, with PM2.5 and PM10 particles rising up to 30 times standard limits, which is extremely dangerous for health.
Explaining about real-time AQI and 24-hour average, former Additional Director of DPCC Mohan P George said that AQI is for the common man, so we provide 24-hour average data to make it easier to understand for common people. He said that in India we publish AQI data, but in Western countries AQI is just a color code like green, yellow and red. Therefore, in those countries, there is no difference between an AQI of 215 and 225, since the color code is the same for any data between the 200-300 range.
How is the condition of Delhi?
The increasing level of pollution every year during Diwali is a matter of concern. Data often cannot accurately reflect the worsening situation in real time. In a year when there are low temperatures and low wind speeds, the pollution released by burning firecrackers can remain in the atmosphere for a long time, so air quality can deteriorate even if fewer firecrackers are used. On the contrary, favorable weather, high temperatures and strong winds after burning more firecrackers can reduce the immediate impact of pollution. This year’s data shows that despite the bursting of more firecrackers, air quality has deteriorated less compared to previous years.
Nehru Nagar case from Lajpat Nagar area in South Delhi
There was a huge decline in air quality in Nehru Nagar. At 5 pm on October 31, the concentration of PM 2.5 particles was measured at 101 micrograms per cubic meter. As night approached, the situation worsened and firecrackers started bursting in the sky. At 8:00 p.m., the PM 2.5 level reached 324 micrograms per cubic meter. At nine o’clock at night a new increase was observed and the level reached the dangerous figure of 539 micrograms per cubic meter. At 10 p.m. the situation worsened and the concentration of PM 2.5 reached 898 micrograms per cubic meter and at midnight it reached 1,527 micrograms per cubic meter.
This means that air pollution increased more than 15 times from 5 pm to midnight on Diwali, when firecrackers were burnt. When the bursting of firecrackers stopped after midnight, the pollution level began to reduce. By 1am on November 1, the concentration had decreased marginally to 1,172 micrograms per cubic meter. At 11 a.m. the next day its level decreased, but still remained at 145 micrograms per cubic meter.
East Delhi Vivek Vihar Case
On Diwali night, air pollution increased due to firecrackers in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, leading to a rise in PM2.5 levels. At 5 pm on October 31, the concentration of PM2.5 in air quality was 101 micrograms per cubic meter. However, as night approached, the situation began to deteriorate rapidly. At 8:00 p.m., the concentration of PM2.5 more than doubled to 222 micrograms per cubic meter, indicating the beginning of a significant deterioration in air quality. At 9 p.m., the reading rose to 296 micrograms per cubic meter and an hour later, the concentration rose to 677 micrograms per cubic meter. Air pollution peaked at 11pm, when PM 2.5 levels reached 1,210 micrograms per cubic metre, almost doubling in just one hour.
The situation worsened at midnight, when the reading reached 1,853 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 17 times the level recorded at 5:00 p.m. At one in the morning on November 1, the concentration had dropped to 1,416 micrograms per cubic meter.
What was the condition of Nehru Nagar?
Before bursting the cookies until 5 p.m. on October 31, the concentration remained at 101 micrograms/cubic meter. An increase was observed after bursting the crackers at 8 pm.
8 o’clock – 324 micrograms/cubic meter
9 o’clock – 539 micrograms/cubic meter
10 o’clock – 898 micrograms/cubic meter
11 o’clock – 1123 micrograms/cubic meter
12 Midnight- 1527 micrograms/cubic meter
On November 1 at 1:00 p.m.: 1172 micrograms/cubic meter and then began to decrease after bursting the cookies.
It reached 145 micrograms/cubic meter at 11 am on November 1
Condition of Vivek Vihar in East Delhi
Before bursting crackers on Diwali until 5 pm on October 31.
101 micrograms/cubic meter
It increased significantly after bursting the cookies at 8 p.m.
PM2.5 concentration until 5 p.m. on October 31, Diwali (before the explosion of firecrackers): 114 micrograms/cubic meter.
20:00 hours – 222 micrograms/cubic meter
9 p.m. – 296 micrograms/cubic meter
22:00 hours – 677 micrograms/cubic meter
11 pm – 1210 micrograms/cubic meter (doubles in about an hour)
12 pm – 1853 micrograms/cubic meter (more than 17 times since 5 pm)
13:00 (November 1): 1416 micrograms/cubic meter and then started to decrease after bursting the crackers.
It reached 119 micrograms/cubic meter at 11 a.m. on November 1.
What was the AQI in the last three years?
Delhi’s average AQI at 4 pm today was 339. Yesterday at 4 pm it was 328. Both are in the ‘very bad’ category. Despite Diwali pollution, there was a difference of only 11 in the 24-hour AQI.
Last year, the average AQI of Delhi on Diwali was 301, while the AQI a day before Diwali was 218. The average AQI on the day of Diwali in 2022 was 302, while the AQI a day before Diwali was 312. higher than Diwali day in 2022.
