Delhi Air Quality Index Tops 350 After Diwali Fireworks
Fireworks and crop burning smoke have trapped pollutants over the capital, forcing health officials to declare severe air quality levels.
By Renata Mehta ·
A thick layer of fog and smoke settled over New Delhi in the early hours of Monday, following a night of Diwali celebrations. Residents fired fireworks on Sunday evening despite existing restrictions. The activity released fine particles and smoke into the atmosphere, worsening an already dangerous seasonal pollution event.
Air Quality Index readings in several parts of the capital exceeded 350 on Monday morning. This level places the air in the severe category. Health risks rise at this level, particularly for people with respiratory conditions. Monitoring stations across the city recorded similar alarm levels. Visibility dropped as a grey haze covered streets and high-rise buildings.
The Indian Supreme Court had attempted to limit Diwali pollution in October. The court restricted conventional firecrackers. It allowed only approved eco-friendly firecrackers under specific conditions. These new options were permitted for three-hour windows on Saturday and Sunday. The eco-friendly options produce fewer emissions than traditional ones. However, they are not emission-free and still release particles into the air.
Isyad, a resident of New Delhi who uses a single name, reported physical symptoms from the smog. Isyad said the pollution caused throat irritation and itchy eyes. The metropolitan area is home to more than 30 million people. It frequently ranks among the most polluted areas in the world during the winter months.
Pollution worsens because Diwali fireworks coincide with falling temperatures and smoke from crop residue burning in neighboring states. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana burn leftover rice stalks after harvest to clear fields for the next planting season. That smoke drifts toward New Delhi. It combines with local pollution from vehicles, industries, and construction dust.
The situation becomes most acute in late October and November. Lower temperatures and slow wind speeds prevent pollutants from dispersing. The resulting dense fog can remain over the capital for days. Delhi authorities have applied measures to curb pollution, including limits on construction activity and diesel generators. Courts have sought to impose firework restrictions. These measures have not prevented the return of severe pollution each year.
Environmentalists argue that long-term solutions are needed to prevent the annual crisis. They point to cleaner energy and stricter vehicle emission controls. Shweta Narayan, a public health expert at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, described the government's response so far as impulsive and temporary. Narayan stated that many interventions occur only because the government feels pressured to act.
