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Diwali Blight: Mumbai's Air Suffocates Post-Celebration
9 Nov
Summary
- Nine of Mumbai's 25 air quality stations reported poor air post-Diwali.
- Celebrations caused hazardous AQI, fires, waste, and noise pollution.
- Navy Nagar and Shivaji Nagar AQI spiked to dangerous levels overnight.
Following Diwali celebrations, Mumbai's air quality deteriorated significantly, with nine out of twenty-five monitoring stations reporting poor air on Monday morning. The festivities led to hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, fires, widespread waste, and persistent noise from firecrackers, prompting actor Bhumi Pednekar to express distress over the situation.
While the overall AQI remained in the moderate range at 171, pockets of the city experienced severe pollution. Navy Nagar recorded an AQI peaking at 497 around 2 am, and Shivaji Nagar reached 444 at 11 pm, indicating a substantial overnight spike in pollutants.
Pednekar highlighted that Diwali, a festival of light and new beginnings, is often marred by polluted air, waste, and frightened animals. She urged a conscious choice this year to ensure everyone, including the vulnerable and animals, can enjoy the festival safely, emphasizing that firecrackers contribute significantly to existing air quality challenges.
