Thursday’s burst of firecrackers enveloped Delhi in thick smoke, leading to significant noise pollution and reduced visibility as residents flouted a ban on firecrackers to celebrate Diwali.

The city’s air quality fell into the “very poor” category, recording an air quality index (AQI) of 330 by 10 pm.

Areas like Anand Vihar have seen the IQA drop to the ‘severe’ level, with PM2.5 levels rising sharply, creating hazardous conditions for respiratory health.

Unlike last year’s clearer skies during Diwali, which saw the AQI at 218 due to favorable conditions, this year’s festivities have brought the city back to its infamous pollution levels, exacerbated by inclement weather, stubble burning and vehicle emissions.

Despite the city government deploying 377 enforcement teams and raising awareness through grassroots groups to maintain the ban on firecrackers, many neighborhoods in east and west Delhi reported widespread violations.

The 24-hour average AQI for the city was noted at 330, up from 307 the day before.

The smog-filled sky evoked memories of the “severe” pollution levels of 2020, with concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 reaching 145.1 and 272 micrograms per cubic meter respectively at 9pm.

These fine particles can easily enter the respiratory system, posing serious health threats, especially to children, the elderly and people with existing respiratory problems. To deal with rising pollution, the Delhi government has imposed a strict ban on firecrackers for the fifth consecutive year, banning their manufacture, storage, sale and use.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has organized 377 enforcement teams, working with resident welfare associations, market committees and social organizations to ensure compliance with the ban.

Police units have been sent to monitor the neighbourhoods, with officials warning that legal action will be taken against those violating the ban imposed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Meanwhile, Haryana and several other areas reported AQI levels in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories on Diwali night. In Punjab and Chandigarh, many locations also recorded AQIs in the ‘poor’ range.

By 11 pm on Thursday, Gurugram’s AQI was 322, Jind at 336 and Charkhi Dadri at 306, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app.

Other cities in Haryana reported AQI levels as follows: Ambala 201, Bahadurgarh 292, Bhiwani 278, Ballabhgarh 211, Faridabad 245, Kurukshetra 270, Panchkula 220, Rohtak 222 and Sonipat 258.

Chandigarh’s AQI was 239 at the same time. In Punjab, Jalandhar recorded an AQI of 256, Ludhiana 234, Mandi Gobindgarh 266 and Patiala 244.

AQI classifications are: 0-50 “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor”, 401-450 “severe” and above 450 “plus severe”.