Firecrackers became a major cause of pollution in Delhi after Diwali, with the air still in the very poor category.
New Delhi: An assessment by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has presented a striking picture of the toxic pollution mixed into Delhi’s air after Diwali. According to the institute’s estimate, firecrackers accounted for more than 80 percent of Delhi’s pollution load in the early hours of the morning on November 9. This made it clear that fireworks during the festival further worsened the capital’s already poor air quality.
According to IITM’s source analysis, firecrackers contributed 71.1 percent to PM2.5 pollution between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. on November 9. Another estimate on the government Airwise-Delhi portal put the share of firecrackers in the pollution load during this period at 80.2 percent. However, these figures cannot be treated as pollution levels for the entire day, as the assessment is based on a limited time period and also carries uncertainty.
On Diwali day, November 8, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index had reached 376. At 10 a.m. the next day, it was recorded at 371. At several monitoring stations, the air reached the severe category. On Tuesday, an increase in wind speed helped disperse pollutants and the AQI came down to around 300 in the evening, but the relief did not last.
According to experts, firecrackers became a major immediate cause of pollution, but vehicular smoke, industrial emissions, construction dust and waste burning are also continuously polluting Delhi’s air. Therefore, measures to control pollution are needed not only during festivals, but throughout the year.
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