India's capital Delhi woke up to a toxic haze as air quality worsened after the Hindu festival of Diwali, despite a court directive to use less-polluting crackers.
People in the city and its suburbs burst crackers late into Monday night, defying the court's order to use only 'green' fireworks for a limited period of time.
Delhi, which has high pollution levels throughout the year due to vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dipping in the days leading up to the festival.
According to government data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 360 on Tuesday. The AQI measures levels of PM 2.5 particles in the air which can cause serious respiratory issues.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate; those between 201 and 300 are categorized as poor; the range of 301 to 400 is very poor; and above 400 is deemed severe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that PM 2.5 levels should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic metre over 24 hours. However, some areas in Delhi are reporting AQI levels 24 times higher than this guideline.
Air pollution typically worsens in winter due to stubble burning by farmers in surrounding states and stagnant air conditions that trap pollutants.
Firecrackers have been largely banned in Delhi and its suburbs during Diwali since 2020, but this regulation was not adequately enforced, resulting in the widespread availability and use of fireworks during the festival.
India's Supreme Court recently loosened the blanket ban, allowing certain so-called 'green crackers' that reportedly emit 20-30% less pollution. Nevertheless, critics argue that these alternatives still release harmful substances into the atmosphere.
In the days leading up to Diwali, traditional crackers were still on sale in many shops despite the court's regulations on usage hours, which allowed fireworks only for a limited time.
On the morning after the celebration, the pervasive smell of burning materials returned to the city. A local resident described the daunting visibility conditions due to thick pollution, noting that the city felt enveloped in a haze.
Experts express concern that the relaxation of regulations surrounding firework use could undermine the increased public awareness regarding air quality risks developed over recent years. As of now, Delhi's air quality continues to be categorized as 'very poor,' prompting officials to implement additional measures to curb emissions.
For those residing in Delhi, the situation appears grim, with residents resigning to the fact that clean air remains elusive, adversely affecting quality of life for all, whether in urban centers or rural outskirts.
