As Delhiites celebrated the auspicious occasion of Diwali yesterday, the city is again shrouded with a thick layer of smog after people burst crackers, leading to heavy pollution all across the national capital, which is already battling with its worsening air quality.Delhi engulfs in thick smog after Diwali nightSeveral visuals from parts of Delhi showed thick smog covering the roads, significantly reducing visibility and making it difficult to see beyond a few hundred metres.#WATCH | Layer of smog engulfs parts of national capital(Visuals from Shanti Path) pic.twitter.com/v7qSJF3P3v— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2023Notably, Delhi has been struggling with deteriorating air quality amid the rising pollution level for the past few weeks. The AQI (Air Quality Index) in many places had peaked in the severe category and continued to remain toxic for several days, but after Diwali, it is now very likely that the national capital will once again witness a rise in pollution levels, making it difficult for the people inside the city to breathe.#WATCH | Layer of smog engulfs Delhi after the celebrations of #Diwali(Visuals from RK Puram) pic.twitter.com/tYIS2KY8yK— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2023Delhi govt.s efforts to combat pollution in vainRecently, Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi imposed a complete ban on firecrackers. In the wake of the pollution situation, the Delhi government even considered the idea of artificial rain to tackle the foul air in the city, until sudden rainfall brought a major respite, lowering the pollution level. However, after yesterdays celebrations, everything is going to be in vain.The latest posts shared on social media sites and reports have shown that a large number of people at different places have taken part in the burning of firecrackers. Sunday nights visuals from Lodhi Road, RK Puram, Karol Bagh, and Punjabi Bagh showed intense fireworks lighting up the night sky across several areas in Delhi.Report on Delhis AQIAccording to the report, in October, the AQI was at its worst. The concentration of PM 2.5 in the city has been recorded at 20 times the limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), prompting the city government to order the closure of all primary classes and restrict the entry of trucks.Despite the Delhi governments Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi campaign and the Supreme Courts order on firecrackers, rising pollution is likely to dim the light in the city after festivity ends.
