Guwahati: 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 from its nighttime peak, it remained elevated, fluctuating between approximately 150 and 175 at several points during the morning.
Guwahati’s annual AQI rises 23% in 2026
The Diwali-night spike comes amid a broader rise in Guwahati’s annual air pollution levels, according to AQI.in dashboard.
The platform’s annual summary shows that Guwahati recorded an average AQI (US) of 135 in 2026, compared with 110 in 2025. This represents a 23% increase over the previous year.
The dashboard’s annual figures show considerable fluctuations over the years.
| Year | Annual AQI (US) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 122 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 122 |
| 2024 | 105 |
| 2025 | 110 |
| 2026 | 135 |
The annual average declined by 8% in 2022 before increasing by 9% in 2023. It fell again by 14% in 2024, followed by a 5% increase in 2025.
The rise in 2026 is the sharpest year-on-year increase shown in the dashboard’s annual summary for the period presented.
The platform also identifies March 2021 as the most polluted month in its historical analysis, with an AQI of 228. August 2022 recorded the lowest monthly reading, at 50.
Diwali firecrackers raise pollution concerns
The sharp increase in Guwahati‘s AQI during Diwali celebrations has renewed concerns about the impact of firecrackers on urban air quality.
Fireworks release particulate matter and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and aggravate existing health conditions.
Children, elderly people, pregnant women and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses are particularly vulnerable to exposure to polluted air.
However, firecrackers are not the only source of urban air pollution. Vehicular emissions, construction dust, road dust, industrial activities and other combustion sources also contribute to deteriorating air quality.
The historical readings from AQI.in indicate that Guwahati’s pollution levels have fluctuated considerably over the years, with the 2026 annual average showing a notable increase over the previous year.
The latest Diwali-night reading further highlights the need for sustained air-quality monitoring and measures to control pollution in the city.