Diwali fireworks smother Delhi, air quality turns hazardous

Diwali fireworks smother Delhi, air quality turns hazardous

New Delhi: The skies above India’s capital glowed with vibrant colors on Diwali night — but the beauty came at a cost. As fireworks lit up the city in dazzling displays of celebration, Delhi’s air quality plummeted to hazardous levels, with 36 out of 38 pollution monitoring stations recording readings in the “red zone.” By early Monday morning, a dense, acrid smog blanketed the metropolis, reducing visibility, stinging eyes, and leaving millions struggling to breathe.

For residents of Delhi, this has become an all-too-familiar post-Diwali ordeal. Despite repeated appeals, awareness campaigns, and even a temporary ban on firecrackers, the city’s air once again turned toxic. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400 in most parts of the city, placing Delhi firmly in the “severe” category.

A Festival of Light Turns into a Night of Smoke

As families gathered to celebrate Diwali — the festival symbolizing light’s victory over darkness — the city’s air filled with thick plumes of smoke. The festive night sky, normally radiant with fireworks, turned into a foggy haze by midnight. In neighborhoods from Lajpat Nagar to Rohini, Karol Bagh to Dwarka, the sound of bursting crackers echoed for hours despite the restrictions.

By early morning, the aftermath was visible everywhere — layers of ash on cars, the faint smell of burnt gunpowder, and a dull grey sun struggling to rise over the horizon. For children, the excitement of fireworks gave way to coughing and watery eyes. For the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, it was a night of discomfort and breathlessness.

Hospitals across the capital reported a surge in patients complaining of aggravated asthma, throat irritation, and eye infections. “We’ve seen nearly a 40% increase in respiratory cases since last night,” said Dr. Anil Mehra, a pulmonologist at a private hospital in South Delhi. “The air quality this morning is equivalent to smoking 25-30 cigarettes in a day. It’s extremely dangerous, especially for young children and the elderly.”

The Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

According to CPCB data, areas such as Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Vivek Vihar recorded AQI levels above 450, while even greener regions like Lodhi Road and Chanakyapuri breached 400. Only two stations — in Najafgarh and Aya Nagar — recorded slightly lower readings, but even those hovered close to the severe category.

An AQI above 400 is classified as “severe”, meaning the air poses a risk to even healthy individuals and can cause serious health effects for those with preexisting conditions. The primary pollutants were PM2.5 and PM10 particles, both of which are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

Adding to the crisis, weather conditions were unfavorable. The low wind speed and temperature inversion trapped pollutants close to the ground, preventing them from dispersing. Experts warned that the toxic air could persist for several days unless wind conditions improved.

Authorities Struggle to Enforce Firecracker Ban

The Delhi government had imposed a comprehensive ban on firecrackers this year, citing public health concerns. But enforcement on the ground remained weak. Videos from across the city showed fireworks going off late into the night, with police reportedly struggling to respond to the sheer scale of violations.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed disappointment at the situation, tweeting:

“Diwali is a festival of light, not smoke. We must celebrate responsibly and think of our children’s health. Let us find joy without pollution.”

Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have called for stricter penalties and better public awareness campaigns. However, experts argue that bans alone won’t solve the problem. “You can’t expect compliance overnight,” said environmental activist Sunita Narain. “We need long-term engagement with communities, affordable alternatives to crackers, and continuous education on the dangers of pollution.”

Farmers’ Stubble Burning Adds to the Woes

While fireworks worsened the city’s air, stubble burning in neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh also played a major role. Satellite imagery from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) showed a spike in farm fires, which combined with Diwali smoke to form a deadly mix.

“Firecrackers are the immediate trigger, but the base pollution is already high due to stubble burning and vehicular emissions,” explained Prof. S.K. Bhattacharya, an environmental scientist at IIT Delhi. “It’s like adding gasoline to an already burning fire.”

Schools and Offices Take Precaution

As the smog thickened, several schools in Delhi and NCR issued advisories asking parents to keep children indoors. Outdoor activities and sports classes were canceled. Some private offices also shifted to remote work for a few days, while the Delhi government advised residents to wear N95 masks if stepping outside.

Many families, however, chose to leave the city temporarily. “We drove to Dehradun for the weekend just to escape the smog,” said Rohit and Meena Sharma, residents of East Delhi. “Every year, it gets worse. Diwali is supposed to bring joy, but now it brings fear.”

Hope Amid the Haze

Despite the grim conditions, there were small sparks of hope. Many communities celebrated “Green Diwali”, lighting earthen lamps instead of fireworks, organizing eco-friendly events, and planting saplings as symbolic gestures. NGOs distributed masks and air purifiers in slum areas, while volunteers helped clean up cracker debris from streets.

Social media was filled with mixed emotions — pride in celebrating tradition but concern for public health. “It’s time we redefine Diwali,” one post read. “Let’s celebrate with light, not smoke.”

Looking Ahead

Experts believe that Delhi’s annual air crisis cannot be solved by one measure alone. It requires a multi-pronged approach — stricter enforcement, public participation, cleaner transport, and regional cooperation. “Until we address all pollution sources — vehicles, industry, stubble, and firecrackers — we’ll keep choking year after year,” said Dr. Bhattacharya.

As the smog lingers over the capital, the message is clear: the festival of light must evolve into a festival of awareness. Only then can Delhi truly celebrate Diwali — not under a blanket of smoke, but beneath a clear, starry sky.