Pune residents protest after Diwali firecrackers push AQI to 432
· India · Indian Express, Telegraph India
Pune recorded a citywide Air Quality Index of 432 on Monday morning following Diwali firecracker bursting, placing the city in the severe pollution category. Peak PM2.5 concentrations neared 1,000 µg/m³ at select monitoring stations, while the citywide average surged to about 800 µg/m³, marking one of the most extreme pollution spikes recorded in Pune and surpassing last year's peak of 600 µg/m³. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology warned that continued firecracker use on Monday would push air quality further into the severe category into early Tuesday morning. The AIRWISE forecasting system predicted the sharp decline ahead of the event, with PM2.5 levels expected to spike near 400 µg/m³ on Tuesday morning. Environmental activists highlighted the hazardous conditions and called for transparent pollution data.
Why it matters
Residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, face immediate health risks from PM2.5 levels exceeding 800 µg/m³, and the severe air quality threatens daily life and outdoor activities across Pune.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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