In a recent study, it was revealed that three Indian cities have made it to the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, and the reason is deeply worrying.
The culprit? Diwali, the annual Hindu festival of light. The day after Diwali, revelers went off with firecrackers, creating a thick haze of smoke.
According to Swiss group IQAir, New Delhi, the capital, ranked first with an air quality index (AQI) of 420, placing it in the “hazardous” category. But what is alarming is that Kolkata, located in eastern India, came fourth with an AQI of 196, while Mumbai, the financial capital, was not far behind at eighth place with an AQI of 163.
To put things into perspective, an AQI level of 400-500 affects healthy people and is dangerous for those with existing illnesses, while a level of 150-200 causes discomfort to people with asthma, lung problems and heart And levels 0-50 are considered good.
The situation in New Delhi was particularly dire, with a thick layer of smog rolling in since Sunday night, sending its AQI to an alarming 680 shortly after midnight. Although the authorities impose bans on firecrackers in the capital every year, these bans appear to be rarely enforced, leaving residents to suffer the consequences.
Air quality in India tends to deteriorate every year before winter, when cold air traps pollutants from vehicles, industry, construction dust and burning agricultural waste. In an attempt to mitigate the situation, New Delhi authorities had earlier decided to restrict the use of vehicles. However, after a brief spell of rain on Friday, which provided some respite from the toxic air, the decision was postponed.
The local government now plans to review the decision after Diwali. While the festival brings joy and light to many, it is crucial to address the serious impact it has on public health and the environment.
We’ll be closely monitoring this developing situation and bring you updates as they come. In the meantime, stay safe, stay informed, and let’s all do our part to protect our planet and our health.
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