Guwahati, Nov. 9 -- Guwahati witnessed a sharp spike in air pollution on Diwali night, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 400 at around 9:01 pm on Sunday, November 8, according to data.

The reading marked a sharp deterioration in Guwahati's air quality as Diwali celebrations gathered pace on Sunday evening. The city's AQI climbed from 87 at around 2:01 pm to 400 by 9:01 pm, coinciding with the widespread bursting of firecrackers during the festival.

The sharp rise in pollution levels during the evening celebrations highlights the impact that intensive firecracker use can have on urban air quality.

The deterioration was also reflected in the readings recorded during the early hours of Monday, November 9. Although the AQI declined...