Will weather, firecracker ban help improve Delhi's air quality after Diwali?

In 2022, the day after Diwali, the national capital woke up to a "very poor" air quality. Despite the gloom, authorities had something to cheer about, considering it was the best Air Quality Index (AQI) since 2018.  

Expectations are high this year as the state government hopes its stringent enforcement of firecracker ban, GRAP-4 measures and the improving weather conditions could help the city breathe better on the day following the festivities. Things were already looking good on Sunday morning.

Delhiites witnessed clear skies and abundant sunshine on Diwali day and the city's average AQI stood at 202 at 7 a.m. Though it was in the 'poor category, this was still the best in at least three weeks. This is also the lowest for the day before Diwali in eight years. 

Delhi recorded an AQI of 312 on Diwali last year, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data.

Weather experts attribute today's air quality to intermittent rainfall that lashed the city on Thursday night and Friday and the wind speed favourable for the dispersion of pollutants. 

The India Meterological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted a marginal improvement in the air quality just ahead of Diwali, owing to favourable meteorological conditions, including light rain, under the influence of a western disturbance. A western disturbance led to rains over most parts of northwest India, including Punjab and Haryana, effectively reducing the contribution of smoke from stubble burning to Delhi's air pollution.

Firecracker ban

Besides other measures, Delhi has announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers within the capital city. The Delhi police had seized a huge amount of firecrackers too. The Supreme Court had banned firecrackers containing barium at all states.

The Delhi government is also planning to conduct a flag march to enforce the ban on firecrackers. The state has formed special teams to ensure pollution control measures are strictly followed, and as per Environment Minister Gopal Rai, a number of teams on the ground to ensure cracker ban, including a team from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

However, PTI reported that sporadic incidents of firecracker burning were reported on Saturday night in several parts of the capital.

Low temperatures and firecracker burning could lead to a rise in pollution levels in Delhi on Sunday night. 

Last year, despite the ban, there were instances of fire cracker use. However, a decrease in stubble-burning incidents, delayed spells of rain, favourable meteorological conditions helped the national capital from turning into a gas chamber the day after Diwali.

The rainfall around Diwali is also likely to see a fall in farm fires in punjab and Haryana. 

(With inputs from PTI)