Diwali Fireworks in India Worsen Lahore’s Air Quality, Emergency Response Launched
Diwali fireworks worsen air quality across India-Pakistan border.
The vibrant Diwali celebrations that illuminated India’s skies over the weekend have cast a toxic shadow across the border in Pakistan’s Punjab province, particularly in Lahore, where air quality plummeted to alarming levels. According to Pakistan’s Punjab Environment Protection Department, low wind speeds and pollutants from Diwali fireworks in northern Indian cities like New Delhi have significantly worsened air conditions in Lahore and surrounding areas.
By Tuesday morning, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 266, ranking it the second most polluted city globally, just behind New Delhi, where AQI exceeded 300 at most monitoring stations. On Monday evening, Lahore held the third spot with an AQI of 182, trailing Kolkata (203) and New Delhi (213), both grappling with Diwali-related pollution spikes. The Swiss air quality group IQAir reported Lahore’s PM2.5 levels at 187 µg/m³, nearly 37 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
In response, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, launched emergency measures. Anti-smog guns and water-sprinkling operations were deployed on Lahore’s major roads, with nine departments mobilized to combat the crisis. Smog response squads have been cracking down on polluters, arresting 83 individuals, including those linked to factory emissions and illegal waste burning. Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb called it a “cross-border environmental challenge,” noting that winds from Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Haryana carried pollutants into Pakistan. She announced stricter measures, including covering construction materials, restricting traffic, and fining or seizing smoke-emitting vehicles.
Also Read: Bank Holidays Stretch Through October Amid Festive Season, Which Cities and Dates to Note?
Across the border, Delhi’s air quality hit hazardous levels, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 248 µg/m³ in most areas. Despite a court order limiting fireworks to eco-friendly “green crackers,” widespread non-compliance fueled the pollution surge. As the Diwali glow fades, a thick, choking haze lingers, affecting cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Multan, underscoring the shared environmental toll on both nations.
Also Read: ‘Lights, Love, and Cricket’: Indian Icons Send Heartfelt Diwali Wishes from Australia
