India: Blanket of smog covers Delhi as air pollution worsens before Diwali

A blanket of smog engulfed the national capital on Saturday morning as pollution levels deteriorated to 'poor' category ahead of Diwali.

The air quality in the national capital remained in the 'poor' category on Saturday with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 262, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

In the morning, the India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan were not visible clearly as smog covered the Kartavya Path

A cyclist, Shastik Tripathi, who was at the Kartavya Path this morning, said, "I have been cycling for the last six years here. Whenever I am cycling I feel suffocated. So many other people also feel the same and many of them are my friends. I came across the news that a resident of Noida, who ran a gym, died due to suffocation. In Delhi, I am a victim of pollution."

Another cyclist, Ningu said he cycles to remain fit and healthy but pollution is making it very difficult to do so.

"I am cycling to remain fit and healthy. We are from Pedal Cycle Group. I cycle 4 km every day but today the weather is foggy, and pollution is increasing. Facing difficulty in cycling today and it is happening before Diwali. The pollution might have deteriorated because of the surrounding areas. We are really afraid that the pollution level is increasing before Diwali," said Ningu.

Nikhil, who came for a morning walk, urged people not to burst crackers on Diwali.

"The pollution has deteriorated before Diwali, don't know what will happen after Diwali this year. We have to work on it together. People should use public transport. Yesterday, was a heavy traffic day. We should promote cycling and people should not burst firecrackers on Diwali. On this occasion, we all should celebrate at home with family and friends," said Nikhil.

Another resident of Delhi, Nitmala Deshmukh said that the pollution in the national capital is in poor category before Diwali because of global warming

"Diwali should be celebrated with Green firecrackers. It's a culture of Diya not to spread pollution," Deshmukh added.

Punam Mehta said that the India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan were not not clearly visble which indicated the level of pollution.

"Weather was humid a few days ago, now the pollution is increasing on a daily basis. It is because of the stubble burning in surrounding states. If today is a polluted day, then what will happen after Diwali? We are senior citizens. We came to India Gate to walk and the weather changes affect our health. We could not see India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan clearly. It shows it is a polluted day," said Mehta.

Speaking about bursting firecrackers on Diwali Mehta said "Firecrackers have been banned by the government people should follow it. I have relatives who are facing difficulty in breathing. People avoid walking nowadays."

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.

• Diwali in UAE: Abu Dhabi's Indian community mark festival with songs and dances