NEW DELHI (AP) - A thick blanket of smog enveloped India's capital on Tuesday, following the celebration of the Hindu festival Diwali, during which millions set off fireworks that drastically increased air pollution levels across the city. On the night of Diwali, revelers in New Delhi ignited firecrackers late into the night, filling the atmosphere with smoke and fine particulate matter. These emissions compounded with seasonal pollution and stagnant weather conditions led to hazardous air quality by Tuesday morning, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 350 in various neighborhoods. This level is classified as “severe” and poses serious health risks according to the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
Visibility was severely compromised in multiple areas as a gray haze obscured streets, high-rises, and historical landmarks. Tourist Vedant Pachkande remarked, “I have never seen anything like this before. We can’t see anything here because of pollution.” The situation was exacerbated by a recent ruling from India’s Supreme Court which relaxed a prior blanket ban on firecrackers during Diwali, permitting the use of “green firecrackers.” These are designed to emit approximately 30% fewer pollutants but were, as in prior years, largely disregarded in terms of usage regulations.
New Delhi and its metropolitan area, with a population exceeding 30 million, frequently rank among the world’s most polluted cities, particularly during the winter months when Diwali celebrations align with cooler weather and agricultural burn-off from neighboring states. In response to the ongoing air quality crisis, local authorities have implemented several measures including restrictions on construction activities and limitations on diesel generators. Nevertheless, environmental advocates advocate for long-term solutions such as a transition to cleaner energy sources and stricter vehicle emissions regulations to mitigate this annual pollution crisis.
Moreover, a recent study highlighted that increasing levels of pollution are also reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches India. The research published in the journal Scientific Reports indicates that sunshine hours — the duration of direct sunlight reaching the Earth — have declined across much of the country due to rising air pollution levels. The study attributed this worrying trend to a surge in aerosols, which are tiny particles resulting from industrial emissions, biomass burning, and vehicular pollution.
According to Manoj K. Srivastava, a scientist at Banaras Hindu University and one of the study’s authors, the most significant reductions in sunshine have been observed in highly polluted regions such as northern India. This decline in sunlight can adversely affect solar energy production as well as agricultural yields, in addition to negatively impacting the local environment and public health.
In conclusion, the air quality crisis in New Delhi, particularly following the Diwali celebrations, illustrates the pressing need for immediate action to address pollution and its causes, emphasizing the importance of effective regulations and long-term environmental sustainability initiatives.
