Delhi’s skyline became unclear again this Diwali as air quality fell to very unsafe levels throughout the country’s capital. Even with requests to be careful and the Supreme Court’s limited allowance of green firecrackers, pollution rose a lot; this put Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) well into the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels.
Poisonous Air Over the Capital
By Monday morning, the AQI in the city was, on average, 345 – a large increase from the 326 shown only the day before. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that 34 out of 38 stations in Delhi showed pollution at ‘red zone’ levels. The areas most badly hit were Anand Vihar (AQI 417), Wazirpur (423), Ashok Vihar (404), and Dwarka (417), all in the ‘severe’ level.
Based on information from the Decision Support System (DSS), vehicles were responsible for about 15.6% of the city’s air pollution, while industry and dust made up over 23%. Because Diwali parties happened with still winds and high wetness in the air, pollutants stayed near the ground, making a thick layer of smog.
Government Steps and Calls for People to Act Responsibly
Because of the worsening state, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) put Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) into effect over Delhi-NCR. This step – which has been in place since Sunday – told agencies to greatly increase dust control, control building work, and limit use of diesel generators.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta asked people to follow the Supreme Court’s order to only use green firecrackers during certain times – 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. “Let’s have Diwali in the old way – with diyas, sweets, and colours – not smoke,” she said, asking everyone to work together to keep the air safe to breathe.
Health Workers Warn of Problems with Eyes and Lungs
The worsening smog has caused health worries, mainly among groups at risk like children, old people, and those with breathing problems. Doctors who treat eyes say that the eyes are often the first to be hurt by high pollution. Small bits of matter in the air make the eye’s tear film unstable, causing redness, burning, itching, and unclear sight.
Dr. Prabhjot Kaur, a leading eye doctor at a Delhi hospital, said that “being in polluted air for a long time can start allergic conjunctivitis and long-lasting dry eye problems.” She told people who live there to not wear contact lenses on days with high AQI, to wear glasses that wrap around outdoors, and to wash their eyes with sterile salt water when they get home.
Doctors who treat lungs have also given advice, saying people should cut down on going outdoors, use N95 masks when they do go out, and keep the air inside buildings good with purifiers or humidifiers.
A Party of Lights in Dark Skies
All over India, the spirit of Diwali was strong as people decorated homes, went to temples, and gave each other sweets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the party with sailors on INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa, showing the country’s thanks to those who defend it. At the same time, cities like Jaipur, Varanasi, and Kolkata had lively parties under bright lights and temple bells.
But in Delhi and nearby areas, the joy of the party came with a clear shade of grey. Weather experts are saying that pollution will stay ‘severe’ for the next few days, and the haze will likely get thicker as winter comes.
As the parties end, Delhi is given a strong reminder that being aware of the environment is not a choice any more. The party of lights – which is meant to get rid of darkness – must also now show the way to cleaner air and parties that can go on for ever.
