Smog blankets New Delhi after Diwali firecrackers
Written by AI from aljazeera.com's report. Not checked by a person.
Heavy smog covered New Delhi after Diwali firecrackers were set off on Sunday, with the Air Quality Index above 350 in several areas on Monday morning. India's Supreme Court had allowed only approved "green firecrackers" in short time windows.
Thick smog covered New Delhi after residents set off firecrackers during Diwali on Sunday, despite restrictions on fireworks. On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index exceeded 350 in several parts of the capital. The report describes that level as "severe", with significant health risks under the World Health Organization's recommended exposure thresholds.
Last month, India's Supreme Court put restrictions in place to limit Diwali pollution. It allowed only approved "green firecrackers", under specified conditions, in three-hour windows on Saturday and Sunday. The report notes that these crackers produce fewer emissions but are not pollution-free.
On the Wednesday before Diwali, air monitor data showed pollution in New Delhi at more than 30 times the WHO's recommended daily limit. The city is home to 30 million people and persistently ranks among the world's most polluted capital cities.
The problem is worse in winter, when cooler temperatures, low wind speeds and stagnant air stop pollutants from dispersing. According to India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, vehicles account for 23 percent of the city's winter pollution. Biomass burning, including farm stubble fires, contributes 20 percent. The resulting haze can linger over the capital and surrounding areas for days.
