🔗 Share this article The megacity Wakes Up to Hazardous Haze Post Diwali Tuesday brought inhabitants of the planet's dirtiest urban center were faced with inhaling severely hazardous air that registered in the "alarming" category. Extremely High Pollution Readings Several parts of Delhi recorded an pollution measurement over 500, which represents a tenfold increase over the safe level recommended by the WHO. Particular areas, levels of toxic particulate matter soared to of 1,800, representing 15 to 20 times above acceptable levels. Fireworks Ban and Current Changes Since 2020, the government had maintained a comprehensive restriction on the distribution and bursting of firecrackers during celebrations due to their significant contribution to the hazardous smog that engulfs the metropolis as the cold season approaches. Nevertheless earlier this year, the current city government approached the supreme court to propose a easing of the prohibition. The suggestion was allowing "green crackers" – historically questioned by environmental experts as being only roughly 30 percent lower impact – as a compromise between "heritage and environment". Legal Verdict and Implementation To the disappointment of public health and environmental advocates, judicial authorities agreed to the request, mandating that green firecrackers could be ignited during specific periods throughout the celebrations. Throughout the festival evening, there was extensive flouting of the regulated periods across the metropolis, with little enforcement regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the eco-friendly variety. Several recording stations throughout the capital showed air quality reaching highest levels around midnight to extremely hazardous readings seen during the festival in at least recent memory. International Implications The widespread use of fireworks during Diwali also triggered a blame game with bordering Pakistan, with officials in Pakistani Punjab province pointing to deteriorating pollution levels in Lahore on pollutants traveling from India following the festivities. Persistent Environmental Issue Alarmingly severe concentrations of atmospheric toxins in the city have persisted as a serious problem for more than 15 years, with the situation gradually deteriorating. Near Diwali, the concentration of dangerous particulate matter in the environment has been found to increase dramatically to 70% higher the most severe levels ever measured in the Chinese city, which was previously considered as the planet's dirtiest metropolis. Multiple Pollution Sources The situation in the city is resulting from a convergence of multiple factors including automobile exhaust, construction debris, construction activities, waste incineration and smoke from agricultural fires in adjacent regions of farming communities. Within these states, rural residents regularly ignite agricultural waste to prepare for next season, generating toxic smog that then gets trapped over the city as cooler air arrives. Health and Economic Consequences The economic and health toll on the roughly thirty-three million people living in the capital region is significant, according to various studies. These hazardous conditions leads to increased incidence of nervous system, heart and circulatory and respiratory conditions, and can potentially cause cancer. The pollution is estimated to be causing ten thousand early mortalities per year in the city.