Delhi faced polluted air on Sunday, marking the worst quality on Diwali night in the past decade. According to reports, the air quality index (AQI) in the Indian capital reached 362, indicating "very poor" conditions. This pollution intensified after Diwali night, and experts predicted that the weather conditions would turn "severe" on Sunday.
Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi
Air pollution in Delhi has significantly increased due to emissions from vehicles and the burning of agricultural residues in neighboring states Punjab and Haryana. Meanwhile, the Diwali celebrations, which involve burning large amounts of fireworks, exacerbate air pollution in the city. The Indian government had asked schools to hold online classes before the festival of lights and advised people to work from home.
Diwali Festival and Its Impact on Pollution
While the Diwali celebrations are underway and cities are illuminated with colorful lights, the toxic air in Delhi, as every year, has affected the festive mood. This year, Delhi has experienced the worst Diwali air in the last 10 years. Environmental activists and public health officials have repeatedly warned about the dangerous state of air pollution in the capital, but government actions do not seem to be effective enough.
In other news, civil rights activist Sonam Wangchuk has claimed that he is being severely pursued by the Ladakh government. Additionally, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, congratulated the nation on Diwali in a video and announced that he would celebrate the festival with soldiers.
In another section, healthcare workers in Bhopal reached an agreement with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav after three days of indefinite strike. The main demands of these workers included salary increases and job stabilization, which ultimately led to an agreement to begin the job stabilization process.
Also, Mohammed Shami, one of India's most successful cricketers, announced that he is retiring from Test cricket but will continue to play in white-ball formats. Shami stated in an Instagram video that he is saying goodbye to the white jersey but will not forget his memories.
