Hyderabad Air Quality Reaches Hazardous Levels After Deepavali Celebrations

Hyderabad woke up to a grey and smoggy morning on Monday, November 9, 2026, a day after heavy Deepavali celebrations that continued until 3 a.m. in several central localities including Banjara Hills, Srinagar Colony, Panjagutta, S.R. Nagar, Ameerpet and Somajiguda.

Pollution Levels

The air quality deteriorated sharply during the night, with particulate matter 2.5 reaching 392 micrograms per cubic meter at 9:30 p.m. and the Air Quality Index averaging 509. Ravi Colony near Masjid Banda recorded an AQI of 995 as firecrackers were burst continuously. Public pollution monitors provided this data because the Telangana Pollution Control Board monitors went out of order as pollution levels rose, with the University of Hyderabad monitoring station going offline by 10 p.m.

Public Impact

Many areas filled with a metallic sulphurous smell from the constant bursting of crackers. One social media user reported burning eyes, a thick stench of burnt chemicals and gunpowder, and difficulty breathing while roads remained covered in firecracker remains. A 20 degree celsius wind from the north-eastern direction spread the high AQI readings across the city. Pollution peaked at 9:30 p.m. before slowly dropping through the night, though Serilingampally still recorded an AQI of 666 at 11:30 p.m. By Monday morning, the AQI remained hazardous at 178 with PM 10 reaching 113 micrograms per cubic meter.

Context

Festivals involving heavy firecracker use frequently lead to sharp spikes in air pollution in major Indian cities. Weather conditions such as wind direction and temperature often trap pollutants close to the ground during this period. Public monitoring systems play a critical role in tracking these hazardous environmental changes.