Bhogi Bonfires Choke Visakhapatnam Air

On Wednesday, Visakhapatnam residents observed traditional Bhogi celebrations by lighting bonfires across the city to commence the harvest festival. This practice, however, sparked environmental concerns as air quality deteriorated due to the burning of wood, cow-dung cakes, and discarded household items. Despite official advisories from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation discouraging fires on public streets, the rituals persisted in many areas, resulting in noticeable smog.

Monitoring reports from January 14 indicated a sharp rise in pollution. While the city's Air Quality Index averaged 'moderate', specific periods showed high levels of suspended particles. PM10 peaked at 411 mg/m³ and PM2.5 reached 305 mg/m³, with averages of 180 mg/m³ and 136 mg/m³ respectively. Environmentalists highlighted that these particles, trapped near the ground by winter conditions, pose a direct health threat.

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board chairman, P. Krishnayya, called for a paradigm shift in festival celebrations, advocating for greener practices and an end to burning hazardous waste. He stressed that celebrating Bhogi sustainably is crucial to prevent further environmental degradation, especially as the lack of wind during the cold spell prevents pollutants from dispersing.