The festival of lights, Diwali is done and dusted, but the after effects of the same have clouded Hyderabad city now. In this context, a new report has claimed that the air quality levels in the city have hit dangerous levels.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed alarming PM 2.5 levels at 390 in Kompally, with PM 10 soaring to 500. For context, the World Health Organization recommends a PM 2.5 threshold of 5 µg/m³ and PM 10 at 15 µg/m³, underscoring the severe spike. The fine particles in PM 2.5 and PM 10 can penetrate the lungs, posing serious respiratory risks.
Somajiguda, another area hard-hit by the pollution surge, recorded PM 2.5 levels at 289 and PM 10 at 388 late into the night. In New Malakpet, concentrations reached over 250 and 260, while Gachibowli, Kokapet, and Sanathnagar also reported dangerous levels, well above safety limits.
Many parts of the city are observing an extreme decline in air quality due to the effects of firecracker emissions.