LUCKNOW, Oct. 25 -- As Diwali this year was celebrated a bit earlier, on October 20 to be precise, both day and night temperatures remained slightly above normal. This rise in temperature appears to have helped in reducing pollution levels caused by firecrackers on Diwali night. Experts said that because the air was not dense due to the warmer conditions, heat traps and haze did not persist, allowing pollutants to clear quickly.

CSIR-IITR director Bhaskar Narayan explained, "The observed levels are also influenced by human activities and meteorological conditions. Due to a warmer Diwali this year, the smog and pollutants decreased faster on the night after Diwali. The large quantity of pollutants formed due to the burning of firecrackers...