New Delhi: Diwali season has once again highlighted the city’s vulnerability to severe air pollution and the resulting public health crisis. Despite a blanket ban on firecrackers, late-night celebrations left Delhiites under a thick, hazardous smog. By morning, pollution levels spiked as firecracker residue and low overnight temperatures formed a dense layer of smoke. Key monitoring points across the city recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) levels rising into the “very poor” and even “severe” categories, such as 322 in areas like Anand Vihar, where PM2.5 levels surged well beyond safe limits.
PM2.5 particles are especially harmful as they can penetrate deep into lung tissues and even enter the bloodstream, intensifying respiratory and cardiovascular risks. For vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with preexisting respiratory issues, exposure to such toxic air significantly heightens the risk of asthma attacks, bronchitis, and chronic lung disease. This year’s post-Diwali AQI, ranging between 350 and 400 in certain neighborhoods, also reveals the ongoing impact of stubble burning from nearby states, adding up to 35% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution.
As Delhi battles its annual “airpocalypse,” authorities are urged to address pollution sources holistically, offering sustainable solutions to stubble burning. Without these comprehensive measures, Delhi faces a repetitive cycle of worsening air quality and health risks each winter season.
