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 firecrackers.
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 factors like vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dip over the past few days.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 360, indicating that the levels of PM 2.5—fine particulate matter harmful to health—far exceed recommended limits.
Exposure to PM 2.5 should be limited to 15 micrograms per cubic metre over a 24-hour period, according to World Health Organization standards, but Delhi's levels are 24 times higher than this guideline.
Winter exacerbates the city's pollution problem, with crop stubble burning from neighboring states contributing to the issue. Additionally, low wind speeds trap pollutants produced by firecrackers, making the air difficult to breathe.
Firecrackers had been banned in Delhi and its suburbs since 2020. However, the enforcement of this rule has been lax, with traditional firecrackers still easily accessible.
Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the blanket ban, permitting the use of 'green crackers,' which reportedly emit 20-30% fewer pollutants. Critics, however, argue that these still release harmful substances.
While the court allowed their use in a limited timeframe, fireworks were heard well past midnight in many neighborhoods, demonstrating poor compliance.
On Tuesday morning, a BBC reporter noted the return of the familiar smell of burning charcoal, obscured visibility, and a gritty taste of ash in the air as he entered the city.
Experts express concern that relaxing restrictions on firecrackers could negate recent progress in raising public awareness about air pollution.
Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category for over a week, attributed to multiple factors such as low wind speeds, vehicle emissions, and stubble burning.
In response to worsening air quality, authorities activated the next phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and its suburbs, imposing restrictions on diesel generators and coal burning.
As the smog returns, residents feel helpless, with many commenting on the unbearable situation. 'You can't even think of stepping outside,' says local Paras Tyagi.
