In pictures: Smoky skies in Delhi on Diwali as revellers defy firecracker ban

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Friday, November 22, 2024

Gold / Forex

In pictures: Smoky skies in Delhi on Diwali as revellers defy firecracker ban

The annual festival of light came as worries about air quality in India rose

Published: November 12, 2023 19:50 Reuters and AP

1 of 11

A toxic haze began to circulate in New Delhi on Sunday as people in the city of 20 million, which has struggled with heavy pollution recently, defied a ban on firecrackers on the night of Diwali, the annual festival of light. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 11

Diwali1 — Smoke plumes were visible across the sky as revellers let off firecrackers in the evening to mark the country's biggest festival. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 11

Diwali2 — Every year government authorities or India's Supreme Court impose bans on firecrackers - but only rarely do those bans appear to be enforced. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 11

Diwali3 — The Air Quality Index (AQI) across all 40 monitoring stations in the capital averaged 219 on a scale of 500, according to the federal pollution control board data, indicating "poor" conditions that can affect most people on prolonged exposure. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 11

Diwali4 — The AQI data also showed that the concentration of "PM2.5" poisonous particulate matter in a cubic metre of air was around 100 micrograms per cubic meter - 20 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended maximum. Image Credit: ANI

6 of 11

OPN DELHI POLLUTION — Globally, air pollution was the worst in India's eastern city of Kolkata, while Delhi was the fifth-most polluted, according to Swiss group IQAir. Doctors say the air quality is likely to worsen on Monday as smoke from firecrackers lingers in the air, potentially causing itchy eyes and irritation in the throat. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 11

Diwali5 — Some resent the Diwali firecracker bans, which they see as an attempt to interfere with them observing their religious festivals. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 11

Diwali6 — Earlier in the day, Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai had urged citizens to steer clear of firecrackers to prevent citizens from having breathing problems later. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 11

Diwali7 — Air pollution level is expected to soar again after the celebrations end Sunday night because of the fireworks used. Last week, officials in New Delhi shut down primary schools and banned polluting vehicles and construction work in an attempt to reduce the worst haze and smog of the season , which has posed respiratory problems for people and enveloped monuments and high-rise buildings in and around India’s capital. Image Credit: Reuters

10 of 11

Diwali8 — Some Indian states have banned the sale of fireworks and imposed other restrictions to stem the pollution. Authorities have also urged residents to light “green crackers” that emit less pollutants than normal firecrackers. But similar bans have often been disregarded in the past. Image Credit: ANI

11 of 11

Diwali9 — Diwali, a national holiday across India, is celebrated by socialising and exchanging gifts with family and friends. Many light earthen oil lamps or candles, and fireworks are set off as part of the celebrations. In the evening, a special prayer is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring luck and prosperity. Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

Nvidia report $19-billion quarterly profit

13 minutes ago
Philippines: $3.4b solar-battery project launched

41 minutes ago
Eid Al Etihad: Dining offers at UAE's best restaurants

1 hour ago
Saudi Arabia to invest $100 million in tourism workers

1 hour ago
First group of royal guests for Umrah arrives in Medina

1 hour ago

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.

Photos News

Trending