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 throughout the year due to factors including vehicular emissions and dust, had already been experiencing deteriorating air quality in the days leading up to Diwali.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was measured at 360, indicating a high level of PM 2.5 in the air, which is known to pose severe health risks.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, while those between 201 and 300 are categorized as 'poor.' Levels surpassing 300 indicate 'very poor' air quality and anything above 400 is deemed 'severe.'
The World Health Organization recommends that exposure to PM 2.5 should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter over a 24-hour period; however, parts of Delhi reported levels 24 times higher than this guideline.
Additionally, the problem of pollution worsens during winter months as farmers in neighboring states burn crop stubble, and low wind speeds trap the smoke and particulate matter in the air.
Firecrackers have been banned in Delhi and surrounding areas since 2020 due to pollution concerns, yet traditional firecrackers were still available for purchase, allowing the practice to continue despite the restrictions.
Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the blanket ban, permitting the use of so-called 'green crackers' that reportedly emit 20-30% less pollutants. Critics, however, emphasize that these still contribute toxic substances into the air.
Local reports indicated that many people ignored the limited time frame allowed for the use of these green crackers, leading to the pervasive sounds of fireworks continuing late into the night.
On the morning after Diwali, local resident Vikas Pandey described leaving for the airport, only to find the air filled with a toxic haze, significantly impacting visibility and breathing.
Experts fear that loosening restrictions could undermine the public's efforts to combat air pollution developed over the last few years. The situation is further amplified with the AQI consistently falling into the 'very poor' category in preceding days due to a mix of vehicular emissions and crop burning.
In response, local authorities have activated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), implementing restrictions on diesel generator usage and the burning of highly polluting fuels.
As Delhi's citizens brace for more days of smog, many express a resigned acceptance of the toxic air they are forced to breathe, with no immediate end in sight.
