Himachal Pradesh air quality worsens to 'very poor' in some areas after Diwali

Air quality in Himachal Pradesh worsened after Diwali, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 140, compared to 92 last year. Industrial areas reported "very poor" levels, particularly Baddi at 392 AQI. Shimla's air quality remained satisfactory at 66 AQI, improved from 78 last year, due to limited firecracker use. Dharamshala's AQI decreased to 109, while Manali's pollution increased from 55 to 80 AQI. Despite the overall decline in noise pollution by 20%, many industrial areas still recorded AQI above 100. The production and use of green crackers have increased, with many residents following regulations.