India's capital Delhi woke up to a toxic haze as air quality worsened after the Hindu festival of Diwali, despite a court directive to use less-polluting crackers.
People in the city and its suburbs burst crackers late into Monday night, defying the court's order to use only 'green' fireworks for a limited period of time.
Delhi, which has high pollution levels throughout the year due to vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dip in recent days.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 360, indicating the presence of PM 2.5 particles that can harm lung health.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate; 201 to 300 is 'poor'; 301 to 400 is 'very poor', and anything higher than 400 is classified as 'severe'.
The World Health Organization recommends limiting PM 2.5 exposure to 15 micrograms per cubic meter, but in some areas of Delhi, the levels are 24 times higher than this limit.
Winter exacerbates Delhi's pollution problem, as farmers in nearby states burn crop stubble and low wind speeds trap the emissions from firecrackers in the atmosphere.
Firecrackers had been banned in Delhi and its suburbs during Diwali since 2020; however, compliance has been inconsistent, with many shops continuing to sell traditional firecrackers.
Despite the Supreme Court's recent relaxation of the blanket ban, which permits the use of ‘green crackers’ that emit up to 30% fewer pollutants, critics argue that these alternatives still contribute to air pollution.
Reports before Diwali indicated that traditional firecrackers were readily available in stores, and the court's restrictions on their use were largely ignored, with fireworks echoing into the early hours of the morning following the festival.
On Tuesday, local residents reported the return of the unpleasant smell of burning charcoal in the air, with visibility dramatically reduced due to the thick smog. You can't even think of stepping outside, lamented Paras Tyagi, a resident of Delhi.
Experts are concerned that the relaxed rules could undermine the public's awareness of air pollution dangers built over the past few years. Delhi's air quality had already been categorized as 'very poor' prior to Diwali, with the AQI consistently exceeding 300 due to factors including low wind speeds and emissions.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, officials implemented additional restrictions on diesel generators and the burning of coal and firewood.
For now, residents appear resigned as the familiar smog envelops the city once again.
