Pollution in Delhi.
An increase in pollution levels was observed after Diwali in many states of the country, including the capital Delhi. Along with this, the arrival of winter and the cold, dense air that surrounds the city, the dust on the roads and vehicular pollution and the burning of stubble also cause a deterioration in air quality every year at this time. This year the air quality before and after Diwali has been worse than the last two years.
PM 2.5 levels in the capital peaked at midnight on Diwali this year, 13 per cent higher than the level recorded on the same day last year and in 2022, the recent report has revealed.
Very dangerous for people with weak immunity.
Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 316 on Saturday. Such bad air is very dangerous for people with weak immunity. While the AQI was recorded at 330 in Ghaziabad, 339 in Ludhiana and 368 in Amritsar. These areas are the most affected by stubble burning. At the same time, the ICA was recorded at 277 in Chandigarh, 337 in Jind and 333 in Sriganganagar.
Air pollution situation in Delhi
According to the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) report, the level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was high on Diwali night this year, which is a sign of more traffic. According to the report, unlike previous years, PM 2.5 levels in Delhi increased rapidly on Diwali night and decreased the next day.
The report says that by midnight on October 31, PM 2.5 levels peaked at 603 grams per cubic meter, 13 percent higher than on Diwali nights in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) report, the PM 2.5 level has decreased by four per cent compared to Diwali last year.
PMA 2.5 are microscopic particles that enter the body through breath and are dangerous to health. According to the CSE report, the MAP 2.5 level increased continuously in the five days leading up to Diwali and from October 28 to 31 it saw a rise of 46 per cent.
It said that the concentration of PMA 2.5 in 12 hours (8 pm to 8 am) on Diwali night 2024 was 34 per cent higher than that on Diwali night October 2022. According to the report, this year the PMA 2.5 level was more than double the average pollution recorded in the seven nights before Diwali.
He said that this year on Diwali, PMA 2.5 pollution suddenly increased rapidly overnight and decreased rapidly the next day. The report says that the reason behind the late rise and early end of pollution on Diwali day was high wind speed and sufficiently warm atmospheric conditions in the city.
very bad AQI in Himachal
Due to burning of firecrackers in Himachal Pradesh, air quality has deteriorated in many places after Diwali. The average air quality index (AQI) in the state this year was 140 (moderate) while last year it was 92.
According to data from the pollution department, the AQI in the industrial areas of the state was recorded between moderate and very poor and Baddi was the most polluted with a very poor AQI of 392. AQI stood at 217 in Parwanoo, 145 in Paonta Sahib, 139 in Barotiwala, 128 in Nalagarh and 122 in Una.
Shimla’s air quality remained satisfactory and the AQI stood at 66, while last year it was 78. The district administration had allowed bursting of firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm. Officials said that although some violations were observed, most people followed instructions. Meanwhile, the AQI in Dharamshala stood at 109, while last year it was 140. However, Manali saw a rise in air pollution and the AQI in Diwali increased from 55 in 2023 to 80 in 2024.
Bad air in many cities of Bihar
Despite ban on sale and bursting of all types of firecrackers in four cities (Bihar, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur), the air quality in Hajipur reached very poor category after Diwali. Following the direction of the NGT, the state government banned the sale or use of all types of firecrackers in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur to prevent air pollution during Diwali.
