NEW DELHI, Oct 21 — Air quality in India's capital and a few other cities deteriorated as millions of people celebrated Diwali (Deepavali) by setting off firecrackers.
A toxic haze enveloped New Delhi and other areas surrounding the national capital after yesterday night's revelry.
Delhi's air quality index (AQI), which measures fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5), reached 360 this morning, a level deemed hazardous to respiratory health.
The Indian capital, long plagued by chronic air pollution, experiences a surge in PM2.5 levels each year during Diwali due to the widespread use of firecrackers.
Air pollution increased multifold between yesterday afternoon and night and a grey haze reduced visibility today.
A number of fire incidents, blamed on firecrackers, were also reported from across India.
