Thick smog blankets New Delhi after Diwali fireworks – a Muslim perspective
As-salamu alaykum. Thick, harmful smog covered New Delhi on Tuesday morning after Diwali fireworks sent air pollution to dangerous levels. People set off fireworks late into Monday night, filling the sky with smoke that mixed with vehicle and industrial emissions, pushing the Air Quality Index into the “severe” range above 350 in parts of the city. Health experts say levels above 350 are unsafe to breathe.
Visibility dropped to just a few metres under a grey haze. A tourist told reporters, “I have never seen anything like this before. We can’t see anything here because of pollution.”
Schools were closed as the city recorded its worst air quality this year. India’s top court had relaxed a full ban on fireworks in New Delhi for Diwali, permitting limited use of so-called “green crackers” during certain hours, but many people did not follow those rules.
More than 30 million people live in New Delhi and its metro area, which often becomes one of the world’s most polluted regions in winter. Diwali fireworks combine with cooler weather and smoke from crop-residue burning in nearby states to make the problem worse.
Local authorities have tried measures like restricting construction and limiting diesel generators, but environmentalists say long-term fixes are needed: cleaner energy sources, stricter standards on vehicle emissions, and better farming practices to prevent the annual crisis.
A recent study also found that rising air pollution has reduced the amount of strong sunshine reaching India, which can hurt solar power generation and crop yields as well as people’s health. Scientists blamed increasing aerosols from industry, biomass burning and traffic for the decline, with northern India among the hardest hit.
As Muslims we can pray for those affected and for wisdom for leaders and communities to take responsible, sustainable steps to protect public health and Allah’s creation. Small steps like avoiding fireworks at home, supporting cleaner alternatives, and encouraging neighbours to limit burning can help reduce harm. May Allah grant protection and guide us to preserve the environment for future generations.
https://www.thenationalnews.co