India's capital Delhi woke up to a toxic haze as air quality worsened after the Hindu festival of Diwali, despite a court directive to use less-polluting crackers. People in the city and its suburbs burst crackers late into Monday night, defying the court's order to use only 'green' fireworks for a limited period of time. Delhi, which experiences high pollution year-round due to factors such as vehicular emissions and construction dust, had seen air quality dip earlier in the weeks leading to Diwali.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 360, according to government data. The AQI measures levels of PM 2.5, fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause numerous health problems. Levels between 101 and 200 are deemed moderate, while 201 to 300 are categorized as poor. An AQI above 400 is classified as severe.
The World Health Organization suggests exposure to PM 2.5 over a 24-hour period should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic metre, yet some parts of Delhi recorded levels 24 times higher than this recommendation.
Delhi’s pollution problem intensifies during winter as farmers nearby burn crop stubble, coupled with low wind speeds that trap pollutants in the air, making it harder to breathe.
Since 2020, firecrackers had been largely banned during Diwali in Delhi and its suburbs to mitigate air pollution. However, enforcement was lax, and traditional firecrackers remained available for sale in many shops. Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the ban to allow so-called green crackers, which manufacturers claim emit 20-30% less pollution than standard ones. Critics note that even these variations still release harmful substances.
In the lead-up to Diwali, reports indicated that traditional firecrackers were openly sold, and while the court stipulated a limited timeframe to use the green variants, fireworks were heard long into the night on the festival.
On Tuesday, a BBC reporter recalled the familiar smell of burning charcoal upon leaving for an early flight. Visibility was severely compromised, with the haze so thick that tall buildings were obscured.
Residents are becoming accustomed to this toxic atmosphere, with testimonies indicating a collective resignation towards the air quality, highlighting it is challenging to even step outside into the smog.
To address the deteriorating air quality, officials initiated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions on diesel generator usage and the burning of coal and firewood. Experts fear that relaxing firecracker rules could negatively impact the awareness of air pollution dangers built over recent years, as Delhi's air quality continues to hover in the 'very poor' category.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 360, according to government data. The AQI measures levels of PM 2.5, fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause numerous health problems. Levels between 101 and 200 are deemed moderate, while 201 to 300 are categorized as poor. An AQI above 400 is classified as severe.
The World Health Organization suggests exposure to PM 2.5 over a 24-hour period should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic metre, yet some parts of Delhi recorded levels 24 times higher than this recommendation.
Delhi’s pollution problem intensifies during winter as farmers nearby burn crop stubble, coupled with low wind speeds that trap pollutants in the air, making it harder to breathe.
Since 2020, firecrackers had been largely banned during Diwali in Delhi and its suburbs to mitigate air pollution. However, enforcement was lax, and traditional firecrackers remained available for sale in many shops. Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the ban to allow so-called green crackers, which manufacturers claim emit 20-30% less pollution than standard ones. Critics note that even these variations still release harmful substances.
In the lead-up to Diwali, reports indicated that traditional firecrackers were openly sold, and while the court stipulated a limited timeframe to use the green variants, fireworks were heard long into the night on the festival.
On Tuesday, a BBC reporter recalled the familiar smell of burning charcoal upon leaving for an early flight. Visibility was severely compromised, with the haze so thick that tall buildings were obscured.
Residents are becoming accustomed to this toxic atmosphere, with testimonies indicating a collective resignation towards the air quality, highlighting it is challenging to even step outside into the smog.
To address the deteriorating air quality, officials initiated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions on diesel generator usage and the burning of coal and firewood. Experts fear that relaxing firecracker rules could negatively impact the awareness of air pollution dangers built over recent years, as Delhi's air quality continues to hover in the 'very poor' category.
