Delhi Chokes: Diwali Night Plunges Capital's Air Quality into 'Severe' Zone

Diwali, the festival of lights, cast a dark shadow over Delhi this year as the capital's air quality plummeted into alarming levels on the evening of the festivities. Despite a ban on firecrackers, widespread violations coupled with unfavourable meteorological conditions transformed the city's skies into a hazardous haze, pushing 24 monitoring stations into the 'red zone' of 'very poor' or even 'severe' categories.

As the evening progressed, the Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi began a rapid ascent, leaving residents grappling with thick smog and a palpable sense of health anxiety.

Key hotspots recorded truly dangerous levels: Dwarka Sector 8 soared to an AQI of 472, closely followed by Wazirpur at 467, Punjabi Bagh at 458, and Bawana at 456. Other areas like Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Rohini, Anand Vihar, and R.K. Puram also reported AQI figures well above the 400 mark, firmly placing them in the 'severe' bracket – a level that significantly impacts healthy individuals and causes serious distress to those with existing diseases.

This year's post-Diwali air pollution crisis appears to be notably worse than previous years.

In 2022, the Diwali AQI stood at 312, while in 2021 it was 382, and in 2020, it hit a staggering 414. The current figures indicate a disheartening regression in the fight against air pollution, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by the national capital.

Experts attribute this alarming deterioration primarily to the rampant bursting of firecrackers, which continued unabated in many parts of the city despite a blanket ban.

The particulate matter and toxic gases released by these pyrotechnics combine with stubble burning from neighbouring states, creating a lethal cocktail. Adding to the problem were the prevailing meteorological conditions: calm winds meant pollutants accumulated close to the surface, and dropping temperatures facilitated the formation of a dense, suffocating smog blanket across the city.

The health implications of such severe air pollution are dire.

Residents reported increased instances of respiratory discomfort, burning eyes, and sore throats. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, are particularly at risk, facing exacerbation of symptoms and potentially life-threatening complications.

Doctors have issued advisories, urging people to stay indoors, wear masks, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Looking ahead, the situation offers little immediate relief. Forecasts suggest that Delhi's air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category for the next few days, with the possibility of touching 'severe' levels intermittently.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also projected a 'severe' AQI for the day following Diwali, with a gradual return to 'very poor' thereafter, highlighting the prolonged struggle residents face in breathing clean air.

This Diwali serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and a collective commitment from citizens to prioritize public health over celebrations.

Delhi's air quality crisis is not merely an environmental problem; it's a public health emergency that demands sustained, multi-faceted intervention.