In the wake of Diwali, Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) issuing an alert as PM2.5 levels touched a high of 827 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) on Tuesday afternoon. The level is considered very poor according to the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), but still not as bad as it was on November 16 last year when it reached 999 µg/m³ in the city.
This year’s pollution levels have been caused by Diwali fireworks, which are believed to have released toxic gases into the atmosphere. People are advised not to spend too much time outdoors until at least Thursday evening when PM2.5 levels will be back down to normal levels.
The pollution levels have been steadily increasing since Diwali when traders and consumers burned crackers to celebrate the festival of lights. Under these conditions, people breathed in toxic smoke that hurt their health.
The IMD said that there were no severe conditions in Delhi during Diwali, but most residents who do not have regular access to air purifiers and masks were harmed by the unhealthy levels of PM2.5 particles and other harmful gases in the atmosphere.
Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the ‘very poor’ category after Diwali as a thick blanket of smog settled over the city. The capital saw a severe spike in pollution levels on Tuesday, with AQI levels crossing the 390-mark, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee said that Diwali was the worst since 2016. It added that the air quality will further deteriorate due to rising temperatures and humidity.
However, experts say that people should not panic as long-term exposure to pollution is not harmful to human health. They also claim that there is no concrete evidence to support claims that air pollution can cause cancer or other diseases.
The air quality in Delhi has plummeted to “very poor” levels, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The CPCB said that Delhi’s air quality fell to the “very poor” category on Wednesday morning, citing an improvement from the “severe” level. However, it warned that the situation would vary between places and regions.
Delhi’s air quality was recorded at 300-500 µg/m3 on Wednesday after Diwali festivities ended, which is considered to be unhealthy for human beings.
Delhi’s air quality dropped to a “very poor” category overnight following Diwali celebrations, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The PM2.5 level has been recorded at 796 micrograms per cubic meter, which is very high, and one of the worst levels recorded in recent years.
The board said that Delhi’s air quality will improve over the next few days as wind direction changes and winds die down.
Delhi’s air quality has plummeted to “very poor” levels as Diwali fireworks continue to light up the skies.
According to a report by India Today, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 999 on October 30th, which is the highest value it has reached since June 2017. The index measures air pollution levels from 0-500 and is determined by measuring particulate matter in the air and calculating an average for one day based on readings from three monitoring stations across Delhi.
