Delhi Air Quality Chokes After Diwali as Illegal Fireworks Light Up the Sky

The festival of lights has left India’s capital under a thick blanket of smog, and residents say the fireworks went on late into the night.

Delhi air quality took a sharp turn for the worse on Monday, and CIO Bulletin has been following the story closely. After the Diwali celebrations, residents set off fireworks in violation of court orders, and a thick layer of smog settled over India’s capital.

What the Numbers Showed

At 9 a.m. on Monday, Delhi recorded an air quality index of 370, which the Central Pollution Control Board labels “very poor.” For comparison, a reading of up to 50 counts as “good.” Many parts of the city went even higher, crossing 400, the “severe” category. Swiss group IQAir ranked Delhi the third most polluted city in the world that morning.

The Supreme Court had allowed only certified low-polluting firecrackers, and only during short windows on Diwali weekend. Even those crackers are cleaner, not clean. Delhi had already endured poor air for over a week, and on Friday it imposed restrictions under its graded action plan, including online classes for schools.

Why the Air Turns Toxic Every Winter

Diwali is only one part of the problem. Pollution is an annual headache across northern India once winter begins, because cold, heavy air traps harmful smoke and dust near the ground. Government data says vehicles account for 23% of Delhi’s winter pollution, while burning of crop waste adds about 20%.

• Fireworks set off despite court orders.

• Vehicle exhaust trapped by cold, heavy air.

• Construction dust across a busy city.

• Smoke from crop-waste burning.

So why do celebrations clash with clean air year after year? Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has called Diwali “the emotional, cultural and economic heartbeat of Delhi.” Yet residents of Delhi and Mumbai said firecrackers kept going late into the night. Can the city strike a balance between tradition and healthy lungs?

Many residents already struggle with breathing problems, so the next few days will be closely watched. CIO Bulletin will keep tracking Delhi air quality as official readings come in.

News Source: Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/