Northern India Faces Severe Smog Crisis After Diwali Pollution Spike
· India · LiveMint, NDTV
Post-Diwali firecracker smoke, combined with seasonal stubble burning and cold winter air, has triggered dangerous air quality deterioration across northern and central India. A Mint analysis of Central Pollution Control Board PM2.5 data across 59 stations in Delhi shows pollution levels surging from 5 pm on Diwali day to reach 500 to 700 micrograms per cubic metre between midnight and 2 am. These peak concentrations are equivalent to smoking 25 to 26 cigarettes in a single day. Over 200 cities recorded sharp spikes in air quality degradation, occurring despite Supreme Court guidelines permitting only certified green crackers within specific time windows. The severe pollution levels also caused widespread data blackouts at monitoring stations, with thousands of data points going missing during the peak hours.
Why it matters
Millions of residents across northern India face severe health risks from toxic air pollution as winter weather traps particulate matter near the ground.
Read the original report — LiveMint
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