The burning of fireworks during Diwali, coupled with pollutants from farm fires in neighboring states, led to the air quality deteriorating in the national capital and surrounding levels. However, pollution levels remained lower than the last three years. In Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Punjab, air pollution levels ranged between “poor” and “severe” categories on Monday and Tuesday. While people in the capital and its neighboring states struggle to breathe, #smog and #delhismog have been trending on Twitter and is the basis for multiple memes and jokes. From taking digs at the ban on fireworks to seeking clean air, Twitter was filled with smog-related humor. Here are some of the memes: - Alexa! How can I reduce pollution in Delhi? - Here is the list of countries that allows voluntary euthanasia - .#pollutionfreediwali#pollution#DelhiChokes — vipin (@Garhwali_Guy) October 27, 2019 #DelhiChokes After Every Diwali Delhi Be Like:- pic.twitter.com/EeLTBG9UDA — Lihos niaj (@LihosN) October 28, 2019 Delhites after Diwali evening be like #DelhiChokes #DelhiPollution pic.twitter.com/cKKwVGy6EL — 💲🅰️〽️ (@Samcasm7) October 28, 2019 I agree that Air quality index is lower but still it is higher than BJP standards.#DelhiChokes — Sardarism™ (@Sardarism) October 28, 2019 The only Diwali gift I want is fresh air and clean oxygen.#DelhiChokes — अमन🇮🇳 (@TheAlteria) October 28, 2019 Delhites today.#DelhiChokes pic.twitter.com/3Bxn7jqqve — Ravi Jha (@ravijhha) October 28, 2019 #DelhiChokes#DelhiPollution pic.twitter.com/ke27tidEm0 — Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) October 29, 2019 #DelhiChokes Outsiders to delhi people. pic.twitter.com/g58P3kccxI — नादान परिंदे🇮🇳 (@Gauri_doonite) October 28, 2019 Genius! What a cunning plan to get rid of all the liberals by poisoning the air they breathe in! Only the conservatives, who breathe the oxygen released by cows especially for them, will survive.#CrackersWaliDiwali #DelhiChokes #mondaythoughts #HappyDiwali pic.twitter.com/RfbWfcEqmf — Pathikrit Sen Gupta (@pathikrit2sen) October 28, 2019 Delhites going to work after Diwali : #DelhiChokes #DelhiPollution pic.twitter.com/hu6WpG5oxA — Humor Being🌈 (@followTheGupta) October 28, 2019 A Centre for Science and Environment report that was released on Tuesday said that that fireworks on Diwali night played an “overwhelming” role in the rapid deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR. Authorities in Delhi have been directed to undertake several steps, including sprinkling of water to control dust, diesel genset ban, and a ban on open burning to control emissions. The situation is set to relatively improve by Friday. Officials said that an increase in wind speed in the upper atmosphere is expected by Friday, which will in turn lower the AQI.
