Will Diwali celebrations be safe this year?

Air Quality Index in Guwahati shot up to 371 in 2019

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Guwahati shot up to 371 after the Diwali celebrations in 2019. As per the yardsticks of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in between 301 & 400 is considered "Very Poor" category. Even the healthy people can develop respiratory illness in case the AQI increases beyond 301.

"In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot take the risk of inhaling such very poor quality air. If the State Government and the administration do not ensure complete prevention of sale and use of fire crackers during the coming Diwali festival, the AQI will be similar to the last year's figure. In case such a thing happens this time also, it will be a disaster for the COVID patients," said an expert at the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA).

Even though the PCBA has imposed a blanket ban on the sale and bursting of fire crackers during the Diwali festival this year, the State Government is yet to come out with clear-cut directives and guidelines on the issue.

Meanwhile, this issue has become controversial and complicated after Health Minister HimantaBiswaSarma tweeted that there would be no restriction on the celebration of the Diwali as the number of COVID -19 positive cases is declining.

On November 3, 2020, the city's AQI was 103, which was categorized as "moderate" by the CPCB. Besides people suffering from lung and heart ailments, children and elderly people may also face discomfort in breathing under the moderate category of air quality.

"With the start of the rainless condition, the air quality in Guwahati has already started deteriorating due to dust and emission produced by vehicles and industries.

"Polluted air directly impacts lungs. Poor lungs may make the people more vulnerable to Coronavirus infection and resultant complications such as breathlessness and oxygen saturation.

"Bursting of fire crackers emits poisonous gas and pollutant particles. If the people burst crackers, the people particularly the COVID patients will have to inhale poisonous air," pointed out the PCBA expert.

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