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 throughout the year due to factors including vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dip over the prior days.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 360, according to government data. The AQI measures the level of PM 2.5 - fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause various diseases - in the air.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, while 201 to 300 are 'poor' and 301 to 400 is categorized as 'very poor'. A figure higher than 400 is considered 'severe'.
The World Health Organization's guidelines suggest limiting exposure to PM 2.5 over a 24-hour period to 15 micrograms per cubic metre, yet Delhi's AQI in some areas is 24 times higher than recommended.
Winter aggravates the city’s pollution, as farmers from neighboring states burn crop stubble, and low wind speeds trap toxins from fireworks in the atmosphere, thus making breathing difficult.
Firecrackers have been banned in Delhi and its suburbs during Diwali since 2020; however, this rule was not strictly enforced, and traditional crackers were still easily accessible in many shops.
Last week, India’s Supreme Court relaxed the prohibition, allowing for 'green crackers' that supposedly emit 20-30 percent fewer pollutants than conventional ones. Critics argue these still release toxic substances.
In the lead-up to Diwali, BBC reporters observed traditional firecrackers openly sold, and while the court allowed their use for a limited period, the celebratory noise lasted well into the night.
When BBC reporter Vikas Pandey left home early in the morning after Diwali, he noted, the familiar smell of burning charcoal was back... Smoke pervaded the air, making visibility poor. I could taste ash in my mouth. As the taxi entered Delhi, visibility decreased further, obscured by a thick veil of smog.
Experts warned that easing restrictions could undermine the public's growing awareness of the air pollution crisis.
For the past week, Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' range, with AQI levels exceeding 300 due to low winds, vehicle emissions, and agricultural burning.
On Sunday, officials initiated the next stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions on diesel generators and the burning of coal and firewood to alleviate air quality issues.
As the smog envelops Delhi, many residents have grown resigned to the situation. You can't even think of stepping outside. The situation seems just as bad across densely populated and rural areas in Delhi today, remarked local resident Paras Tyagi.
