Hyderabad's air quality worsens following night of bursting firecrackers
A night of bursting firecrackers pushed the city’s air quality to severe in Sanathnagar which recorded an AQI of 515 (PM 2.5)
By Sumit Jha Published on 15 Nov 2020 7:56 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The air quality in Hyderabad deteriorated to 'unhealthy' a day after Diwali. The air quality index (AQI) at Sanathnagar and Bahadurpura was 137 and 134, respectively, on 15 November, the category of PM 2.5.
Meanwhile, the Bollaram industrial area's AQI was199 while IDA Pashamylaram's was 194.
A night of bursting firecrackers pushed the city's air quality to severe in Sanathnagar which recorded an AQI of 515 (PM 2.5). Since 6 p.m on Saturday evening, the city saw its air quality deteriorate. The pollution monitoring machine at the US consulate recorded AQI 378 (PM 2.5) on Diwali night.
The Supreme Court on Friday had modified Telangana High Court's order which had imposed a complete and immediate ban on the sale and use of firecrackers across the state during Diwali in line with the directions imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 9 November.
According to the NGT, only green crackers could be sold in cities/towns where air quality is 'moderate' or below. The timings for use and bursting of crackers was also restricted to two hours during the festivals.
The tribunal also said that if nothing is specified by the state, bursting of crackers will be allowed between 8 to 10 p.m on Diwali. However, in several areas people were seen bursting firecrackers beyond the prescribed timings. Due to the deteriorating air quality, many people had to rush to eye hospitals.
