Delhi Records World's Worst Air Quality After Diwali Celebrations: Health Crisis Intensifies

Delhi faces severe air quality crisis with no immediate relief in sight.

New Delhi:

On Tuesday, air quality in Delhi plummeted to hazardous levels, registering as the world's highest pollution readings according to Swiss monitoring organization IQAir. This dramatic decline is partially attributed to firecracker usage during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

India's Supreme Court had eased firecracker restrictions last week, allowing "green crackers" for three-hour windows on Sunday and Monday. Despite these limitations, Reuters observers noted fireworks being discharged outside permitted timeframes. These environmentally modified crackers produce 30% to 50% fewer emissions than traditional fireworks.

IQAir reported Delhi's pollution score at 442, positioning the Indian capital as the world's most polluted major urban center. The city's PM 2.5 concentration exceeded the World Health Organisation's recommended annual guideline by approximately 59 times.

PM 2.5 particulates, measuring 2.5 microns or smaller, can penetrate deep into lungs, potentially causing fatal diseases and cardiac conditions.

India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) similarly classified Delhi's air quality as "very poor" with an air quality index (AQI) of 350. The CPCB considers 0-50 AQI as good air quality.

According to earth sciences ministry forecasts, Delhi will likely continue experiencing "Very Poor to Poor" air quality with AQI levels between 201 and 400 in upcoming days.

Every winter, India's capital and surrounding areas experience thick smog as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from agricultural burning, leaving many among its 20 million residents struggling with respiratory issues.

Previously, authorities have implemented school closures, construction halts, and private vehicle restrictions to address this environmental challenge.

India isn't the only South Asian nation confronting toxic air problems.

In Pakistan's neighboring Punjab province, which borders India, authorities have implemented an 'emergency plan' addressing pollution through measures against farm fires, smoke-emitting vehicles, and deployment of anti-smog equipment in highly affected areas.

Lahore, Punjab's capital, recorded the world's second-highest air quality reading at 234, according to IQAir data.

"Currently, the major concern is air flowing from Indian Punjab and other regions, affecting air quality across various parts of Pakistani Punjab," explained Sajid Bashir, spokesperson for Punjab's Environment Protection Agency.