Photos: No escaping Delhi smog a day after Diwali despite SC restrictions

Updated On Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

Delhi’s air quality managed to breach “hazardous” and “severe” levels at several places on Thursday – a day after Diwali, as residents continued to burst firecrackers long after the two-hour deadline set by the Supreme Court for this year’s celebrations. Senior Delhi Police officials admitted “sporadic” breaches of the top court’s order on bursting crackers beyond the 8pm to 10pm time frame fixed. The Supreme Court had allowed bursting firecrackers only for two hours on Diwali and permitted manufacturing and sale of only “green crackers” with low emission of light, sound and smoke.

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Delhi’s air quality was recorded as “hazardous” and “severe” at several places on Thursday, as residents continued to burst firecrackers long after the two-hour deadline set by the Supreme Court for Wednesday. This followed a tamer Tuesday and day-time Wednesday, when sunny skies and noticeably clearer air were felt in the capital. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

Delhi’s air quality was recorded as “hazardous” and “severe” at several places on Thursday, as residents continued to burst firecrackers long after the two-hour deadline set by the Supreme Court for Wednesday. This followed a tamer Tuesday and day-time Wednesday, when sunny skies and noticeably clearer air were felt in the capital. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Despite a ban on crackers after 10pm, people were still observed bursting them in Patel Nagar. “In some areas, people have been found burning firecrackers beyond 8pm-10pm time frame. The exact number of violation is yet to be ascertained. But, we will take strict action against them,” an official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI on Wednesday. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

Despite a ban on crackers after 10pm, people were still observed bursting them in Patel Nagar. “In some areas, people have been found burning firecrackers beyond 8pm-10pm time frame. The exact number of violation is yet to be ascertained. But, we will take strict action against them,” an official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI on Wednesday. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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As the night progressed, rising levels of smog became visible, as witnessed here at Sri Aurobindo Marg. News agency ANI reported Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar at 999, the area around the US embassy in Chanakyapuri 459 and around the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 999, all of which fell under the hazardous category. (Amal KS / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

As the night progressed, rising levels of smog became visible, as witnessed here at Sri Aurobindo Marg. News agency ANI reported Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar at 999, the area around the US embassy in Chanakyapuri 459 and around the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 999, all of which fell under the hazardous category. (Amal KS / HT Photo)

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While senior Delhi Police officials admitted to “sporadic” breaches of the top court’s order, the effects grew increasingly noticeable as the hours progressed towards Thursday morning. This predawn scene around India Gate is just one of many examples. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

While senior Delhi Police officials admitted to “sporadic” breaches of the top court’s order, the effects grew increasingly noticeable as the hours progressed towards Thursday morning. This predawn scene around India Gate is just one of many examples. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

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The court had asked the police to ensure that there was no sale of banned firecrackers –permitting only “green crackers” with low light, sound and smoke emission -- and in case of any violation, the station house officers of the police stations concerned would be held “personally liable”. This would amount to committing contempt of court, it had warned. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

The court had asked the police to ensure that there was no sale of banned firecrackers –permitting only “green crackers” with low light, sound and smoke emission -- and in case of any violation, the station house officers of the police stations concerned would be held “personally liable”. This would amount to committing contempt of court, it had warned. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

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That’s Humayun’s Tomb in the distance, if once can make it out. The intensity of the crackers burst before 8pm, however, remained low. But as the festivities picked up, the faint echo of crackers grew louder. Some of the areas where people were seen bursting crackers beyond the stipulated time frame included Mayur Vihar Extension, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi’s Lutyens Zone, IP Extension, Dwarka and Noida’s Sector 78. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

That’s Humayun’s Tomb in the distance, if once can make it out. The intensity of the crackers burst before 8pm, however, remained low. But as the festivities picked up, the faint echo of crackers grew louder. Some of the areas where people were seen bursting crackers beyond the stipulated time frame included Mayur Vihar Extension, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi’s Lutyens Zone, IP Extension, Dwarka and Noida’s Sector 78. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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The overall AQI was recorded at 296 at 10pm after the top court’s deadline came to an end. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data show the AQI at 7pm was 281 which rose to 291 at 8pm and escalated further to 294 at 9pm. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

The overall AQI was recorded at 296 at 10pm after the top court’s deadline came to an end. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data show the AQI at 7pm was 281 which rose to 291 at 8pm and escalated further to 294 at 9pm. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

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Online indicators of the city’s pollution monitoring stations indicated ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ air quality as the volume of PM2.5 and PM10 in the air, which enter the respiratory system and reach the bloodstream, sharply rose after around 8pm. According to the CPCB data, the 24-hour rolling averages of PM2.5 and PM10 were 146 and 275 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

Online indicators of the city’s pollution monitoring stations indicated ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ air quality as the volume of PM2.5 and PM10 in the air, which enter the respiratory system and reach the bloodstream, sharply rose after around 8pm. According to the CPCB data, the 24-hour rolling averages of PM2.5 and PM10 were 146 and 275 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

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An aerial view from Central Delhi’s Connaught Place on Thursday morning. Experts had warned of a spike in the pollution levels after Diwali even if “partially toxic crackers” were burnt compared to last year. Doctors have said the impact of air pollution on public health can be compared to smoking 15-20 cigarettes a day. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 08, 2018 11:53 am IST

An aerial view from Central Delhi’s Connaught Place on Thursday morning. Experts had warned of a spike in the pollution levels after Diwali even if “partially toxic crackers” were burnt compared to last year. Doctors have said the impact of air pollution on public health can be compared to smoking 15-20 cigarettes a day. (Biplov Bhuyan / HT Photo)

News / Photos / News / Photos: No escaping Delhi smog a day after Diwali despite SC restrictions

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