India's capital Delhi woke up to a toxic haze as air quality worsened after the Hindu festival of Diwali, despite a court directive to use less-polluting crackers.
People in the city and its suburbs burst crackers late into Monday night, defying the court's order to use only 'green' fireworks for a limited period of time.
Delhi, which has high pollution year-round due to factors including vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dipping over the past few days.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 360, according to government data. The AQI measures the level of PM 2.5 - fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause a host of diseases - in the air.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, while those between 201 and 300 are 'poor'. Between 301 and 400 is categorised as 'very poor' and a figure higher than 400 is considered 'severe'.
The World Health Organization's guidelines state that exposure to PM 2.5 over a 24-hour period should be limited to 15 micrograms per cubic metre, but Delhi's AQI in some areas is 24 times higher than this recommended level.
The pollution problem worsens in winter as farmers in neighboring states burn crop stubble. Low wind speeds also trap pollutants, such as those produced by firecrackers, in the lower atmosphere, making it hard to breathe.
This is why firecrackers had been banned in Delhi and its suburbs during Diwali since 2020. However, this rule was not strictly enforced, and crackers were still available for purchase in many shops, leading to their use during the festival.
Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the blanket ban, allowing the use of so-called green crackers, which their makers claim emit 20-30% less pollutants than traditional ones and generate minimal ash. Critics argue that these crackers still release harmful substances into the air.
In the lead-up to Diwali, BBC reporters observed traditional crackers still being sold openly in shops. While the court allowed green crackers to be burst only during a limited timeframe, the sound of fireworks was heard well past midnight in many areas.
On Tuesday, BBC reporter Vikas Pandey noted the familiar smell of burning charcoal upon leaving home for an early morning flight. He described smoke-filled air and poor visibility, stating, 'The tall buildings which are usually visible at this hour had disappeared behind a thick veil of smog.'
Experts worry that relaxing the rules on firecrackers could undermine growing awareness of air pollution dangers that had developed in recent years.
Delhi's air quality had already been in the 'very poor' category, with AQI surpassing 300, due to various factors such as low wind speed, vehicular emissions, and stubble burning in neighboring states.
On Sunday, officials implemented the next stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and its suburbs, imposing restrictions on diesel generators and burning of coal and firewood in an effort to improve air quality.
As the familiar smog descends on Delhi, residents seem resigned. One resident commented, 'You can't even think of stepping outside. The situation seems to be equally bad in densely populated areas and rural areas in Delhi today.'
