Air quality deteriorates in parts of AP on Diwali day

During the Diwali festival in Andhra Pradesh, cities like Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, and Kakinada experienced poor air quality due to the high volume of fireworks. The Air Quality Index (AQI) scale indicated moderate to poor air quality in these areas, with PM10 levels ranging from 115 to 238. Additionally, noise levels recorded during the festival exceeded the standard limits, with peak values reaching 102 dB in Vijayawada and 86 dB in Visakhapatnam. In 2020, some cities saw a decrease in noise levels compared to 2023, with Kurnool recording the highest at 69 dB and Machilipatnam the lowest at 55 dB.