1. Post-Diwali celebrations intensify smog in the national capital, worsening air quality.
2. Efforts led by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government to ban firecrackers have not prevented a thick haze layer.
3. Visuals from different parts of Delhi depict dense haze, significantly reducing visibility.
New Delhi, Nov 13: The aftermath of Diwali celebrations in Delhi has plunged the national capital into a thick layer of smog, exacerbating the city’s already dire air quality crisis. Despite recent efforts by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government to implement a complete ban on firecrackers, visuals from various parts of Delhi reveal a dense haze covering roads, severely limiting visibility to just a few hundred meters.
Delhi has been grappling with heightened pollution levels over the past few weeks, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in many areas reaching the ‘severe’ category. The post-Diwali scenario is anticipated to witness a further spike in pollution levels, posing significant challenges to the city’s residents.
Earlier, in response to the pollution crisis, the Delhi government had contemplated the idea of ‘artificial rain’ as a measure to combat the foul air. However, sudden rainfall brought temporary relief, lowering pollution levels.
Also Read: Focus on 316 College Students Seeking Transfers Amidst Ongoing Manipur Crisis
Despite such initiatives and the imposition of the ‘Diya Jalao, Patakhe Nahi’ campaign by the government and the Supreme Court’s order on firecrackers, reports and social media posts indicate a substantial number of people participating in firecracker burning, particularly in areas like Lodhi Road, RK Puram, Karol Bagh, and Punjabi Bagh on Sunday night.
Recent pollution data underscores the severity of the situation, with the concentration of PM 2.5 in the city surpassing the World Health Organisation’s prescribed limit by 20 times since the last week of October. In response, the city government has ordered the closure of all primary classes and restricted the entry of trucks to mitigate the impact on public health.
Despite these measures, rising pollution levels looms over Delhi after the festive season concludes, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combatting the city’s persistent air quality crisis.
