Pollution levels escalate in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: Pollution levels have soared in the Indian capital and surrounding northern regions of the country, a day after thousands of people defied a ban on firecrackers to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

New Delhi residents woke to thick smog yesterday as firecracker emissions added to already high levels of pollution brought on by crop stubble burning in the region.

Air quality index levels at most monitoring stations in and around the city were in the severe category, more than 20 times the limit deemed safe by the World Health Organisation and roughly the equivalent of smoking 25 cigarettes a day in terms of the damage to people’s health.

Delhi, with 25 million inhabitants, has been ranked among the world’s most polluted cities in recent years.

At least 55 people had been arrested for selling firecrackers and 21 others for using them, Delhi police said on Twitter. — DPA