World · India Bureau
Delhi's pollution monitors malfunctioned during Diwali peak, officials say
Air quality monitoring stations across the capital went offline on Diwali night as PM2.5 pollution levels spiked dramatically, according to pollution control authorities. Officials attribute the blackout to unusually elevated readings that exceeded normal operating parameters.
LSN India ·
Several air quality monitoring stations in Delhi stopped recording data on Diwali night as particulate matter concentrations reached exceptionally high levels, officials from the city's pollution control agencies have explained. Anil Gupta, a member of both the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), said the monitoring gaps were caused by PM2.5 readings that exceeded typical thresholds during the festival.
The blackout in real-time air quality data coincided with widespread firecracker use across Delhi during Diwali celebrations, a practice that typically correlates with sharp spikes in pollution levels. The inability of monitors to record data during peak pollution hours has raised questions about the resilience of the capital's environmental monitoring infrastructure.
The DPCC and CPCB maintain networks of air quality monitoring stations throughout Delhi to track pollution levels and ensure compliance with environmental standards. The malfunction during one of the year's most critical pollution periods underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining reliable air quality surveillance systems, particularly during events that generate significant emissions.