A significant increase in pollution levels was observed in Delhi after Diwali. Due to large-scale fireworks, pollution in the capital remained in the dangerous category for the second day after Diwali. Ashok Vihar and RK Puram areas were severely affected. The PM2.5 level in Ashok Vihar has crossed 1450, which is very harmful to health.
On the second day of celebrations, the worst affected areas were Ashok Vihar in north Delhi, where the PM10 level reached 1,951 µg/m³ and the PM2.5 level was recorded at 1,487 µg/m³ at 11 pm. For example, up to 100 µg/m³ and 60 µg/m³ are considered safe and currently in Delhi their levels are several times higher.
Also Read: Delhi’s air had become ‘very bad’ even before Diwali, so how is air pollution happening?
Pollution situation in RK Puram and other areas.
A significant increase was also observed in RK Puram, where PM2.5 levels exceeded the standard limit by 9 times. At the same time, the PM2.5 level in Lajpat Nagar reached 604 µg/m³, ten times higher than the level considered safe. Pollution levels are often high in Anand Vihar, and PM2.5 and PM10 levels 10 times higher than normal were recorded here too.
The PM2.5 level in Vivek Vihar was found to be 836 µg/m³, almost 14 times more than the standard limit, showing how big a pollution problem was in Delhi during this festival. In other areas such as Mandir Marg, Patparganj and Jahangirpuri, pollution levels several times higher than normal were recorded.
Also Read: Fireworks increased breathing difficulties, AQI in Delhi neared 400, pollution increased 30 times in Vivek Vihar at night.
Diwali celebrated on different dates
Because Diwali is celebrated on different dates, some people have celebrated it on October 31 and others on November 1. In such a situation, a further increase in the level of pollution can be observed. However, due to the wind blowing at a good speed in Delhi, pollution levels have remained low in many areas.
Poor air quality in Bihar and Hajipur worst affected
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), after Diwali on Friday, the AQI was recorded in the ‘poor’ category in many cities of Bihar. Hajipur recorded a “very poor” AQI of 332. Several places in Bihar where the AQI was recorded in the “poor” category (level 201-300) included Araria and Muzaffarpur (286), Begusarai (258), Saran/Chhapra (254 ), Purnia (247), Saharsa (232). ), Patna and Samastipur (230) and Kishanganj recorded 201.
