Chennai, Oct 21 || The city witnessed a spike in air pollution levels following Diwali celebrations, as the sound of firecrackers echoed continuously across the state capital.
According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose sharply to 154 by Tuesday morning, compared to 80 the previous evening. Perungudi recorded the highest AQI level at 217, followed by Manali and Velachery at 151 each, Arumbakkam at 145, and Alandur at 128.
Despite the spike, officials noted that this year’s pollution levels were considerably lower than those recorded during Diwali in 2024, when the highest AQI touched 287 at Valasaravakkam and the lowest was 150 at Thiruvottiyur.
The drop, authorities said, was due to intermittent rain showers across Chennai during the festival, which helped suppress suspended particulate matter in the air.