Diwali: Rise of pollution levels less compared to last year in Hyderabad

Noise levels were another parameter monitored by the pollution board and the data observed that noise levels were same in day time pre-Diwali and during Diwali while night time values shot up by 2.3 dB in industrial areas

Hyderabad: Though the Diwali festivities on Thursday saw some parameters of pollution studies in the city going up sharply as against normal days, the rise happens to be less when compared to last year festival day recordings.

The Telangana Pollution Control Board which regularly monitors the Ambient Air Quality with respect to the particulate matter, gases and noise levels, is carrying out special purpose (Diwali) AAQ monitoring from October 24 to November 7.

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As per the PCB data collated this Diwali day, concentrations have decreased with respect to PM2.5 and PM10 when compared to last year.

Though the PM2.5 rose from an average of 44 microgram per cubic meter on normal day to 84 microgram per cubic meter on festival day, it was far less than the recording of 119 microgram per cubic meter on last year Diwali day.

Similarly, a drop of 4 microgram per cubic meter was observed this festival day compared to last year.

In terms of gases, the PCB data showed that the concentrations increased moderately when compared to normal day but stayed well within the acceptable standards.

As against a standard of 80 microgram per cubic meter, the Sulphur dioxide (SO2) rose from 12 to 14, while the Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) were just 40 microgram per cubic meter.

Noise levels were another parameter monitored by the pollution board and the data observed that noise levels were same in day time pre-Diwali and during Diwali while night time values shot up by 2.3 dB in industrial areas.

In commercial area, the noise levels dropped in the day and night during Diwali while in residential areas, noise levels increased on festival day when compared to normal day.

Interestingly, in the sensitive areas, the noise levels dropped on Diwali when compared to normal day.