The city sparkled with Diwali lights, and the cold weather added its own brilliance to the festive atmosphere. The nights of November 12 and 13, 2023 stood out as the coldest of the season. On Diwali day, the minimum temperature was held at 11.9 degrees. However, on November 13, it dropped by 0.5 degrees, reaching 11.4 degrees. Despite the initial chill, Tuesday brought a significant increase in temperature. It surged by 3.6 degrees, reaching a relatively warmer 15 degrees. This fluctuation in temperature added an interesting dynamic to the post-Diwali weather.

Cloud cover led to a slight 0.3-degree decrease in daytime temperatures within a 24-hour period, with a recorded temperature of 28.3 degrees. Over the last two days, the city's maximum temperature has hovered nearly 1 degree below the November average of 29.6 degrees. On Monday, it stood at 28.6 degrees, reflecting a 1.4-degree drop in 24 hours. As per the weather department's forecast, Wednesday might experience partial cloud cover, and there are indications of a minor decline in nighttime temperatures.

The vibrant fireworks and the bustling activity of vehicles during Diwali significantly altered the city's atmosphere. This transformation is clearly observed in the Air Quality Index (AQI), which escalated to 193 on November 12. Just a day earlier, on Roop Chaturdashi, the AQI was a comparatively stable 88. This notable difference points towards a substantial increase in pollution levels within the city.

On the day of Diwali, not only did the AQI rise, but the concentration of particulate matter in the environment, indicating a mixture of solid particles, also increased significantly, reaching a level equivalent to 10:00 PM. This highlights the environmental impact of the festive celebrations on air quality.

Fortunately, there was a noticeable improvement within just two days, and by Tuesday evening, the Air Quality Index (AQI) had dropped back to 88. Experts emphasize the importance of keeping pollution levels below 100. Individuals with asthma or compromised lung function may face breathing difficulties when the AQI exceeds 100.

As per the Pollution Control Board, the AQI recorded during Diwali in 2022 was 196. In 2021, it had surged to a record high of 264.

Air Quality Index

Source: Dainik Bhaskar