People across Punjab celebrated the festival of lights and delight 'Diwali' with zest despite the Covid-19 pandemic situation. However, to curb the air pollution and increasing infection cases in the state, the government has directed to burn the firecrackers for only 2 hours. However, people did not seem to comply with such orders.
Divulging the details of the major districts of the state, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar has seen massive burn of firecrackers. People continued lit fireworks after the barred hours also. And now, its impact can be seen on the Air Quality which has now turned 'severe' across the state.
Air Quality Index of these districts breached the mark of 500 as the PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels surged instantly. Although the air quality of these cities remains below 400, severe air quality was unhealthy to breathe in for children and elderly people.
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The 'severe' air quality could be dangerous for health thus, children and the elderly are advised to stay indoors.
It is pertinent to mention here, Ludhiana locals kept burning the firecrackers after midnight as well due to which the pollution level crossed the alarming level and reached the air quality index of 500 in Ludhiana late at night. Poisonous smoke spread from the fireworks enhanced the problems of people. Locals were finding difficulty in breathing along-with irritation in the eyes.