Following Diwali, air pollution levels in Dehradun have reached the ‘severe’ and ‘dangerous’ category due to firecrackers and fireworks.
दम घुटता है देहरादून में दिवाली पर आतिशबाजी पड़ी हवा पर भारी, प्रदूषण के सारे रिकॉर्ड टूटे, AQI 1100 पहुंचा
Following the fireworks on the night of Diwali, pollution levels in Dehradun shattered all previous records. Around 3:00 AM on the night of November 8, the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched the 1,100 mark—the highest level recorded since the state’s formation.
Pollution levels began to rise around 8:00 PM on the night of Diwali. By 4:00 AM, the AQI hovered around 400, with a 24-hour average of 359. The average AQI recorded at the city’s Clock Tower monitoring station was 271, while it was 237 in Nehru Colony.
For the first time in Dehradun, PM-10 levels reached a record 1,000, and PM-2.5 levels climbed to 850. Additionally, the AQI remained above 400 for about four hours during the night—a new record. This data was captured by the real-time monitoring system installed at Doon University. Pollution began to rise around 8:00 PM on the night of Diwali (November 8). By 4:00 AM, the AQI was around 400, with a 24-hour average of 359. On the night of Diwali, the average AQI was 271 at the Clock Tower monitoring station and 237 in Nehru Colony.
AQI Levels in Various Locations
The AQI was recorded as follows: 232 in Rudrapur, 246 in Kashipur, 189 in Haldwani, 168 in Haridwar, 128 in Rishikesh, and 117 in Nainital.
Poor Air Quality in Haridwar-Roorkee
In the holy city of Haridwar, people engaged in extensive firework displays on Sunday. Due to these fireworks, pollution levels in the air on the night of Diwali reached 168 micrograms per cubic meter. This represents an increase of 78 micrograms per cubic meter compared to November 1, when the AQI (measured in concentration) was 90 micrograms per cubic meter. Compared to last year, air pollution levels this year were 22 micrograms per cubic meter lower. Last year, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 190.
On Sunday, residents of the city celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm, in keeping with tradition. People engaged in extensive firework displays late into the night, causing a sharp spike in air pollution levels compared to the preceding eight days. Pollution levels on Sunday were 53 micrograms per cubic meter higher than on Saturday, when the AQI was 115. On the previous Friday, the AQI was recorded at 110 micrograms per cubic meter. From Friday through Sunday, the city’s air quality remained in the ‘yellow’ category. The Pollution Control Board monitors air quality at two locations in the city: Rishikul and SIDCUL. The Board measures concentrations of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in micrograms per cubic meter, which serves as an indicator of the level of air pollution.
Pollution impacts Nainital as well
In Haldwani, the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose by 93 points over the course of the week, reaching 189. Similarly, air pollution levels in Nainital have also increased compared to last year. In Kashipur (Udham Singh Nagar), a thick blanket of smoke, haze, and fog has enveloped the area, making it difficult for people to breathe.
According to data from the Pollution Control Board, the AQI on Diwali was 189 in Haldwani and 117 in Nainital. A positive note for Haldwani is that this year’s Diwali recorded the lowest pollution levels seen over the past four years. In 2023, the AQI here was 223; it decreased to 192 in 2024 and stood at 194 in 2025. Compared to 2023, the AQI was 34 points lower this time. Pollution levels have also risen in Nainital; the AQI was 111 in 2025, which has now increased to 117. In Kashipur, the AQI ranged between 129 and 168 on Saturday—just before Diwali—but by Monday, it had climbed past 246. Meanwhile, the AQI in Rudrapur rose from 156 to 232.
How pollution is assessed:
The pollution control department has categorized the Air Quality Index (AQI) into six levels. A range of 0–50 is classified as ‘Good,’ indicating the lowest level of pollution. The 51–100 range is ‘Satisfactory,’ where the impact of pollution on people is minimal. In the 101–200 ‘Moderate’ range, air pollution can be harmful to children, the elderly, and individuals with heart or lung conditions. The 201–300 ‘Poor’ range can cause breathing difficulties for people. In the 301–400 ‘Very Poor’ range, air pollution begins to cause illness. An AQI above 401 falls into the ‘Severe’ category; at this level, pollution has an adverse effect on human health.
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