HYDERABAD: Hyderabad’s air quality deteriorated sharply after Diwali celebrations on Sunday night, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 315 between 10 pm and 4 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app. The reading had fallen to 118 by Monday evening.
AQI.in, a third-party monitoring platform, reported a city average of 321 on November 8. It showed higher readings at some individual locations: 828 at Prakashnagar, 628 at Kukatpally and 625 at Bikshapathinagar. These station-level figures should not be confused with the citywide average. Readings from Serilingampally also varied across platforms.
The Telangana State Pollution Control Board’s monitoring network was not providing data by Monday evening. A TSPCB official said its University of Hyderabad station was offline during the peak pollution period, so the exceptionally high readings circulating online could not be independently confirmed as official Board readings. The Board’s data was available only until 8 p.m., the official said.
SAMEER station readings on Monday included 158 at ECIL-Kapra, 146 at Kokapet, 142 at New Malakpet, 140 at Ramachandrapuram, 122 at ICRISAT, 120 at Kompally, 95 at Sanathnagar, 88 at IIT Hyderabad in Kandi, 62 at the University of Hyderabad and 50 at Bollaram Industrial Area.
Under the AQI scale, 0–50 is “Good”, 51–100 “Satisfactory”, 101–200 “Moderate”, 201–300 “Poor” and 301–400 “Very Poor”; higher readings fall into the “Severe” category. The readings indicated poor to severe air quality in parts of the city.
Firecracker smoke contributed to the sudden deterioration, the TSPCB official said. Vehicle emissions, road dust, construction and industrial pollution also add to the city’s pollution burden. Lingering smoke and dust were reported in several localities into Monday morning.
Dr Sravan M., superintendent of Chest Hospital, advised people with asthma and chronic lung conditions to avoid exposure to smoke and fog. He said they should keep doors and windows closed, remain indoors during smoky conditions and use any additional medication as advised by their doctors. He also advised them to avoid early-morning walks, go out after sunrise and wear N95 masks.
Exposure may worsen shortness of breath and cause throat irritation, he said.
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