The festival of lights is on fire, literally. Now Delhi is drowning in toxic smog

India's capital, Delhi, was engulfed in toxic smog on Tuesday after overnight celebrations of the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. The level of carcinogenic PM 2.5 particles exceeded the permissible standards of the World Health Organization by more than 56 times, seriously threatening the health of residents.

Tuesday morning brought an alarming increase in the level of harmful PM 2.5 microparticles, which, according to the Swiss company IQAir, specializing in air quality monitoring, reached 846 micrograms per cubic meter of air in some areas of the city.

“This is over 56 times more than the maximum allowable daily norm set by the World Health Organization (WHO),” warns IQAir. After a few hours, the rate dropped to 320 micrograms per cubic meter, which was still more than 23 times higher than the WHO recommendation.

The main cause of the deterioration of air quality was night fireworks displays and firecrackerstraditionally accompanying the celebration of the Diwali festival, which lasts from October 18 to 23.

Despite the restrictions introduced by the Supreme Court, residents commonly fired pyrotechnic materials emitting large amounts of pollutants and did not comply with the time limits set for this, local media note.

The Times of India website noted that residents of the city of 20 million people complained of breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

– Pollution has not increased just today, it has been increasing for years – commented Sagar, quoted by the portal. The man said that everyone blames politicians for this situation, but the blame should be on people who “do not change their behavior.” – You can buy firecrackers, but it's up to us whether we set them off or not. Then they complain about the government for not doing anything, he added.

Authorities predict that air quality in the Indian capital will remain at “very poor or poor” levels in the coming days.

Delhi's air pollution problems are chronic. The city is shrouded in thick, toxic smog every winter as cold air traps emissions from stubble burning and industrial activity and vehicles on the roads.

Mortality related to poor air quality is very high in India, and data from recent years indicate that the problem is growing. (PAP)

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