"Diwali Fireworks Plunge Bhubaneswar's Air Quality to Alarming New Lows"

Diwali celebrations in Bhubaneswar have caused air pollution to spike dramatically, with the air quality index reaching alarming levels due to excessive firecracker usage.

On Diwali night, the air quality index in Bhubaneswars Capital police station area soared to 354, categorizing the air quality as very poor according to Odisha State Pollution Control Board data.
Between 7 pm and 10 pm, particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) levels in areas like IRC Village and Nayapalli greatly exceeded permissible limits, highlighting severe air pollution during the festival.
The noise generated from Diwali firecrackers also contributed to increased decibel levels, raising concerns over noise pollution alongside the significant air quality deterioration observed across the city.

Why It Matters

This alarming drop in air quality during Diwali not only poses immediate health risks to residents but also underscores the ongoing struggle with air pollution in urban areas like Delhi, prompting calls for stricter regulations on firecracker use.