World · South & Central Asia · 20 hrs ago
Mumbai air pollution rises after Diwali firecrackers, Bhumi Pednekar raises concern
After Diwali, firecrackers were followed by higher pollution in Mumbai.
On Monday morning, the citywide AQI was 171, in the moderate range, but nine of 25 monitoring stations recorded poor air.
Some areas saw much higher readings overnight: Navy Nagar’s AQI peaked at 497, while Chembur reached 401 and Shivaji Nagar reached 444.
Actor Bhumi Pednekar criticised late-night firecrackers and the waste they left, saying people continued to burst them in public despite restrictions.
She also warned that children, older people, people with breathing problems and animals are especially vulnerable to polluted air and noise.
Firecrackers release fine particles and other pollutants, adding to existing air-quality problems.
By 7 am, readings had fallen in the named areas, but the sources give no further action or next step.
Firecrackers on Diwali night were followed by a sharp rise in air pollution across parts of Mumbai.
Nine of the city’s 25 air-quality monitoring stations recorded poor air on Monday morning, while the citywide AQI was 171, in the moderate range.
Some neighbourhood readings crossed 400 overnight, including a peak of 497 at Navy Nagar.
Actor Bhumi Pednekar voiced concern about firecracker pollution, noise, waste and risks to vulnerable people and animals.
She said people continued bursting firecrackers on roads in the open despite restrictions.
- Who
- Actor Bhumi Pednekar raised concern about the pollution. Mumbai’s air-quality monitoring stations recorded elevated readings.
- What
- Air pollution rose in parts of Mumbai after Diwali firecrackers. Pednekar criticised late-night firecracker use and its effects.
- When
- After Diwali night and on Monday morning, November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Mumbai, India.
- Why
- The articles attribute the rise in pollution to firecrackers burst during Diwali celebrations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Firecrackers were burst during celebrations, followed by a sharp rise in pollution in parts of Mumbai.
Navy Nagar’s AQI was about 359.
Shivaji Nagar’s AQI spiked to 444.
Navy Nagar’s AQI peaked at 497.
Pednekar posted on Instagram about hazardous air, waste and loud firecrackers.
Mumbai’s overall AQI was 171, and nine of 25 monitoring stations recorded poor air.
- Mumbai overall AQI
- 171 on Monday morning, in the moderate category
- Monitoring stations
- 9 of 25 recorded poor air on Monday morning
- Navy Nagar peak AQI
- 497 at 2 am
- Shivaji Nagar AQI
- 444 at 11 pm
- Chembur AQI
- Rose to 401 overnight
- Highest AQI category
- Severe: 401–500
3 sources
Bhumi SLAMS firecracker bursting in Mumbai after pollution pushes AQI above 400
'AQI Is Hazardous': Bhumi Pednekar Calls Out Firecracker Pollution After Diwali, Says 'This Is Heartbreaking'
Bhumi Pednekar raises alarm over ‘hazardous’ AQI in Mumbai post Diwali, says people were bursting crackers even at 3 AM
What people are saying
Houses have caught fire, the AQI is hazardous, roads are full of waste, it's 3 am, and all I can hear are loud crackers. Our roads were full of people bursting crackers on them out in the open, even when it’s not allowed. This is heartbreaking.
Diwali is a festival of light, love, family and new beginnings. But every year, along with the celebrations, comes a familiar aftermath: polluted air, firecracker waste, noise and frightened animals. Firecrackers release fine particulate matter and other pollutants that add to an already challenging air-quality situation. And the impact isn’t experienced equally. Children, older people, those with respiratory conditions and animals are particularly vulnerable. This year, let’s make a choice that allows everyone, including the ones who cannot speak for themselves, to enjoy the festival.