Home / Environment / Pune Chokes: Diwali Firecrackers Cause Historic Air Pollution
Pune Chokes: Diwali Firecrackers Cause Historic Air Pollution
9 Nov
Summary
- PM2.5 levels soared to historic highs after Diwali firecracker use.
- Pune's air quality index reached 432, categorized as 'severe'.
- Pollution levels are predicted to persist into Tuesday morning.
Pune faced unprecedented air pollution on Monday morning, primarily due to widespread firecracker bursting on Diwali. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 432, placing it in the 'severe' category, with peak PM2.5 concentrations nearing 1,000 µg/m³ in some areas.
This extreme spike, with citywide average PM2.5 reaching approximately 800 µg/m³, surpassed last year's highest recorded levels. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) had forecast this decline, warning that ongoing firecracker activity would push air quality from 'poor' to 'severe' into Tuesday.
Dr. Sachin Ghude advised that PM2.5 levels could remain around 400 µg/m³ on Tuesday morning, with the AQI between 300-320. This event highlights the severe impact of firecracker emissions and the utility of early warning systems like IITM's AIRWISE.
Environmental advocates and citizen groups have expressed grave concern, emphasizing the health risks posed by dominant PM2.5 pollutants and the reduction in 'good air' days. Activists documented degraded visibility and stressed citizens' right to clean air.
