Diwali Pollution Hits Mumbai Metropolitan Region As Nerul AQI Touches 567, Kharghar 462; Activists Raise Alarm
Mumbai: The aftermath of Diwali celebrations has left several parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) grappling with alarming air pollution levels, with local monitoring readings in Navi Mumbai recording particularly sharp spikes following hours of incessant firecracker bursting. Nerul Records AQI Of 567, Kharghar Touches 462 Activist monitoring the aqi levels of the city were alarmed to…
Mumbai's Diwali celebrations saw severe air pollution, with monitoring readings in Navi Mumbai's Nerul and Kharghar hitting hazardous levels. Nerul recorded an AQI of 567 at around 11.41 pm on Sunday, November 8, while Kharghar's AQI reached 462. The air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai itself stood at 278 at 9.34 pm, with Thane registering 298 at 9.39 pm.
Nearby Kalyan's AQI climbed to 416 at 11.10 pm, all of which were categorized as hazardous. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in Kalyan reached 271 and 327 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively. A reading of 428 for PM10 concentration in Nerul was recorded at around 1 am on Monday. Environmental activists expressed alarm over the disregard for public health and the environment, questioning the need for late-night Diwali celebrations.
They argued that fireworks were damaging the ecosystem and harmful to voiceless animals and birds. Activists also pointed out that the festival has become more about show-off than joy, causing breathing difficulties among asthma patients, senior citizens, infants, and toddlers.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
