Delhi Chokes on Toxic Haze After Diwali Fireworks

New Delhi awoke to a thick, toxic haze on Tuesday, the day after the Hindu festival of Diwali, as air quality in the Indian capital plummeted to dangerous levels. The surge in pollution is largely attributed to the widespread use of fireworks, which continued late into Monday night, defying a court directive to use only less-polluting 'green' crackers for a limited duration.

Delhi, a city already grappling with chronic air pollution from vehicular emissions and dust, had seen its air quality deteriorate in the preceding days. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 360. The AQI measures PM 2.5, fine particulate matter known to cause respiratory and other health issues. Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, 201-300 are 'poor', 301-400 are 'very poor', and anything above 400 is classified as 'severe'.

The World Health Organization recommends that 24-hour exposure to PM 2.5 should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic metre. In some parts of Delhi, Tuesday's AQI was reported to be 24 times higher than this recommended limit. The city's pollution problem is exacerbated in winter by crop stubble burning in neighbouring states and low wind speeds, which trap pollutants close to the ground.

Firecrackers have been banned in Delhi and its suburbs during Diwali since 2020. However, enforcement has been inconsistent, with traditional firecrackers still available for purchase in many areas. Last week, India's Supreme Court eased the ban, permitting the use of 'green crackers', which are claimed to produce fewer pollutants and less ash. Critics, however, maintain that even these crackers release toxic substances into the atmosphere.

Despite the court's allowance for green crackers to be used only during specific, limited hours on Diwali and the preceding day, the sound of fireworks persisted well past midnight in many localities. BBC reporters observed traditional crackers openly sold in shops in the lead-up to the festival.

A BBC reporter in Noida, a suburb of Delhi, described the air on Tuesday morning as filled with smoke, with poor visibility and the taste of ash. The smog was so dense that tall buildings, usually visible at that hour, were obscured. Experts express concern that the relaxation of cracker regulations could undermine the growing public awareness about the dangers of air pollution.

Prior to Diwali, Delhi's air quality had already been in the 'very poor' category for about a week due to a combination of factors including low wind speeds, vehicle emissions, and stubble burning. In response, officials had invoked the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions on diesel generators and the burning of coal and firewood.

For residents of Delhi, the return of the familiar smog appears to be met with resignation. "You can't even think of stepping outside. The situation seems to be equally bad in densely populated areas and rural areas in Delhi today," commented one resident.