The government has appealed that people should reduce the bursting of firecrackers in order to improve both the air and sound pollution quality in India. The health minister appeals for a “silent” Diwali. This time, New Delhi is expected to reach its nadir of “severe levels” during  Diwali, when Indians light firecrackers, exposing many people to respiratory problems.

The warning is based for the first time on India’s newly launched national Air Quality Index. New Delhi had dismissed a World Health Organization study in May which found that the capital has the world’s worst air pollution. Unfortunately, among the 1,600 cities covered, the study also said that India has 13 of the 20 global cities with the worst air quality worldwide.

For the next two days, Delhiites are expected to be exposed to poor-to-severe air, according to the chief scientist of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, referring to Thursday, when the nation celebrates Diwali, as well as the following day.

With a population of 16 million, the city’s air pollution index is expected to move to 450 from 220 currently. The ambient air above 401 is hazardous, with severe respiratory problem issues.

Pollution levels in Indian cities are like Beijing’s, which is notorious for the smog that settles on it, provoking Anglophone residents to call it “Greyjing”. For the next three days, the air quality in Delhi, though, is expected to be worse than Beijing due to firecrackers,” Mr Beig said, adding that Delhi normally has better air quality than the Chinese capital.

However, a delay in the onset of the winter season will result in lower pollution levels this year as warmer temperature helps pollutants disperse faster.

Image by Rajesh Balouria from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/photos/diwali-diya-deepawali-deepavali-4545501/