Dhua-Dhua Indore After Diwali Fireworks As PM10, PM2.5 Hit Monitoring Limits Of 1,000, Air Pollution Reaches Alarming Levels

Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Diwali fireworks left behind a toxic legacy, as air pollution skyrocketed in the city. Monitoring stations at Regal, Airport, Meghdoot Park, and Residency recorded alarming spikes in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, surpassing the limit of 1,000. Environmentalist Dilip Waghela noted a sharp surge in pollution between 10 pm on November 8 and early November 9.

At Regal, PM10 rose from 76 at 5 pm to 1,000 by midnight, while PM2.5 climbed from 29 to 715 by 11 pm, hitting 1,000 at 1 am. Meghdoot Park saw PM10 increase from 24 at 5 pm to 984 by midnight, with PM2.5 soaring from 14 to 819. Residency experienced a similar trend, with PM10 rising from 26.39 to 756.61 and PM2.5 from 15.05 to 570.76, both reaching the upper limit by midnight.

Airport also saw PM10 jump from 33 at 5 pm to 993 by midnight. Experts warned that ultrafine PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation, asthma attacks, and breathlessness, while also raising heart and stroke risks. The firecracker gases further aggravated the respiratory system, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing heart or respiratory conditions.

The air quality index (AQI) in Indore soared from 220 on Sunday evening to 230 at night and 274 on Monday morning, before gradually improving as temperatures rose and winds picked up.