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In the wake of Diwali celebrations, Delhi found itself shrouded in a significant haze, marking the city's most polluted Diwali in the last three years. The Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted to a concerning 362 the day after the festivities, categorizing the air quality as 'very poor'. This decline in air quality was noted despite repeated efforts by the city's authorities to curb pollution, including a stringent ban on firecrackers.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) highlighted a sharp contrast in pollution levels, with the 24-hour average AQI reaching 330 on Diwali day, up from 218 and 312 in the prior two years. The concentration of PM2.5, a dangerous pollutant, exceeded safe limits, posing a heightened risk to those most vulnerable, such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.To combat the expected surge in pollution around Diwali, the Delhi government had imposed a ban on firecrackers for the fifth year running. This encompassed restrictions on their production, storage, sale, and use throughout the city. To ensure the public adhered to these rules, authorities formed 377 enforcement teams and conducted awareness campaigns. The police were also on high alert, tasked with overseeing the ban's compliance and cautioning against legal actions for any breaches. However, despite these preventive measures, many districts in Delhi witnessed widespread non-compliance, with residents igniting firecrackers in open defiance of the prohibition.
Weather Conditions and Pollution Levels
The severity of pollution seen this Diwali was not mirrored in the previous year, attributed to a decrease in stubble burning and favourable weather conditions, including rainfall, which staved off the post-Diwali pollution spike. Notably, meteorological conditions such as wind speed, which was recorded at around 10 kilometers per hour the day after Diwali, along with a minimum temperature of 18.4 degrees Celsius—2.3 degrees above the normal—play a pivotal role in dispersing airborne pollutants. Furthermore, the humidity stood at 70 percent with clear skies forecasted, conditions that typically contribute to the dilution of air pollutants and thus, potentially improve air quality.
In conclusion, despite the Delhi government's rigorous enforcement of a firecracker ban and the implementation of measures to curb air pollution during Diwali, the city experienced its most polluted Diwali in recent years. The widespread flouting of the ban, coupled with adverse meteorological conditions, culminated in a significant deterioration in air quality, impacting the health and well-being of the city's residents. This situation underscores the need for more effective strategies and public cooperation to combat air pollution in the capital.
