If anyone expected this Deepavali to be a quieter affair, with the Supreme Court banning sale of firecrackers in Delhi, the hopes were belied. The air hung heavily in cities across the country after a night of celebrations. Even in Delhi, the ban did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those who wanted to light firecrackers. Delhiites took the ban on sales of fireworks seriously, but there were people bursting them. The air was just a little better than last year’s, but not better enough. The smog remained till 9 a.m.; visibility was only close to 50 metres and the air quality only slightly better than last year’s. Breathing through the smog was a laboured affair.
Chennai’s pollution levels matched Delhi’s, as smog enveloped the southern metropolis at dawn. In Mumbai, the strong smell of burnt fireworks lingered around Bandra Reclamation. Thick smog covered the Mahim Creek and spread over to the sea. The Sea Link Road was only partially visible. The Worli Sea Face was no better. On the pavement was the proof of festivities the night before.
On Beach Road in Visakhapatnam, people turned out in large numbers carrying bundles of fireworks. Within no time, a thick layer of smog filled the air. Smoggy skies enveloped the city on Friday, a day after Deepavali, with near-zero visibility at Kailasagiri.
Maximum woes: The smog-covered Worli Sea Link in Mumbai. Despite cutbacks on fireworks, the air quality dipped in the mega city.
Thick scrim of smog: India’s attention was riveted on Delhi after the Supreme Court banned sale of firecrackers in the the national capital till November 1, but the city woke up to a wheezy morning even after a silent night of Deepavali.
Sparks of a celebration: Fire and smog in equal measure. A scene at Pulianthope in Chennai.
Star-speckled festival: In Tirunelveli, a thousand stars in the night sky.
Darkness at dawn: Lamplight struggles to filter through the smog at dawn in Marine Drive, in Mumbai, after Deepavali night, though revellers burst fewer crackers than previously.
Haze and daze: Dazzling display in a haze-filled street in Visakhapatnam.
Veil of smoke: The haze-filled Triplicane area in Chennai.