Post-Diwali Celebrations in Vizag Marred by Severe Air Pollution

 Visakhapatnam: The festive spirit of Diwali in Visakhapatnam was overshadowed by severe air pollution and a series of fire-related incidents across the city, raising environmental and health concerns. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged beyond 250 on Friday, indicating critically polluted conditions that pose serious health risks to residents.

Pollution control board data highlighted a steep increase in particulate matter levels in several areas. The citywide average for PM₁₀ rose from 122.9 to 233.3 µg/m³, while PM₂.₅ levels more than doubled, increasing from 52.2 to 110.4 µg/m³ during Diwali celebrations.

Gnanapuram recorded the highest PM₁₀ spike, rising from 134.0 to 307.0 µg/m³, while Mindi saw levels escalate to 301.0 µg/m³ from a pre-Diwali level of 121.0 µg/m³. Police Barracks showed a rise in PM₁₀ from 124.0 µg/m³ to 274.0 µg/m³, with PM₂.₅ increasing from 66.0 to 131.0 µg/m³. Similarly, MVP Rythu Bazar recorded PM₁₀ levels escalating from 89.0 µg/m³ to 266.0 µg/m³.

Other notable increases included Autonagar, where PM₁₀ rose from 122.0 to 241.0 µg/m³; GVMC (CAAQMS), where PM₁₀ increased from 189.0 to 249.0 µg/m³; and Pedagantyada, where PM₁₀ climbed from 129.0 to 193.0 µg/m³.

The festivities also led to health issues, with eight people hospitalised for minor burns and a 90-year-old resident tragically losing their life. A minor fire incident at a cracker shop in Seethamdara fortunately resulted in no casualties.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) reported substantial waste from the celebrations, collecting around 500 tonnes of cracker remnants on Friday.