Delhi's air quality reached 'severe' status after the Diwali festival, and the residents of the city faced severe pollution. Air pollution intensified in the final days of the Diwali celebrations due to the use of firecrackers and fireworks, adding to the pollution crisis in the winter season.
Severe Air Quality Situation
Residents of Delhi and surrounding areas woke up on Monday morning to polluted and hazy air. The Diwali celebrations, which involved the use of firecrackers, severely impacted the air quality of the capital, with the air quality index (AQI) in some areas reaching 'severe' levels. The sky over the capital, which was lit up by fireworks last night, is now covered with a thick layer of toxic smoke.
Pollution Beyond Permissible Limits
Air pollution in various parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has dangerously exceeded the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Reports indicate that the level of PM 2.5 particulate matter in the central Mandir Marg area of Delhi has reached 879 micrograms per cubic meter, which is nearly 59 times the WHO limit.
Delhi is one of the most polluted capitals in the world and consistently faces air pollution issues during the winter season. Millions of people celebrate Diwali with firecrackers, which leads to the release of large amounts of fine particles and soot into the polluted air.
On Saturday, Delhi experienced the worst air quality on the night of Diwali in the past decade. Last month, the Supreme Court of India restricted the use of regular firecrackers and only allowed the use of 'green firecrackers.' However, this ban could not be effectively enforced.
'Green firecrackers' are designed to produce less air pollution, but they still generate 65 to 70 percent of the pollution of regular firecrackers.
Air pollution has become a challenging problem for various governments in Delhi, which blame each other for their inability to solve this issue. However, a sustainable solution to reduce the air pollution crisis in Delhi has yet to be found.
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