The smoke from fireworks spread the most in Una and Dharamshala, indicating an improvement in pollution levels in the state during Diwali compared to the previous year. Last year, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was at the level of 97 on Diwali, which has reduced to 92 this year.
The night of Diwali filled the air in the state with pollution due to bursting fireworks. The air in the Una district and Dharamshala was the most polluted. Una recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 153, while Dharamshala reached 140. However, Shimla and Manali, with AQIs below 50, also experienced an increase this year, with Shimla at 78 and Manali at 55. Although they remained in the satisfactory category.
Pavonta recorded 111 in the moderate zone. Industrial areas like Nalagarh, Baddi, Barotiwala, and Pavanta Sahib also experienced pollution. However, rainfall two days before Diwali has somewhat curbed pollution. The Air Index in Barotiwala, Nalagarh, Kala Amb, Parwanoo, Damtal, and Sundernagar remained in the satisfactory zone.
It’s noteworthy that an AQI below 50 is considered good according to environmental standards. A range of 51 to 100 is considered satisfactory. When the AQI reaches 101 to 200, it falls into the moderate zone. A range of 201 to 300 is classified as poor. Damtal recorded 60, Parwanoo 87, Kala Amb 83, Barotiwala 96, and Nalagarh 86.
The AQI reached 92 This year, the state recorded lower pollution levels on Diwali compared to the previous year. Last year, the AQI on Diwali was at the level of 97, which has decreased to 92 this year. Despite the improvement on Diwali, the air in the state was still nearly twice as polluted as regular days. On regular days, the AQI in the state is around 52, which increased to 92 on Diwali.
Breaking the trend of decreasing pollution levels in the capital, this year’s pollution level remained at the highest level in the past four years. A reversal in the trend of decreasing pollution levels since 2020 was observed in the city this year, with a 65% increase in pollution levels compared to previous years.
