Pollution levels of the millennium city of Gurugram entered the danger zone due to the burning of crops in rural areas of the State.
Gurugram recorded 364 cubic meters percolate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), higher than normal days.
Gurugram has two monitoring stations at Vikas Sadan in the Civil Lines and Gwal Pahari to check air and noise pollution.
Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) officials are preparing a report on the increase in pollution on Diwali and it will be available within two or three days.
On Saturday, the maximum level of PM 2.5, which has a permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), increased to 365 µg/m³. Last year post-Diwali, the maximum PM 2.5 level was recorded at 361µg/m³.
Also, the report of the Gurugram's air quality index on October 28 was at 377 (very poor level), a day after Diwali festival.
Meanwhile, the officials of the department claim that this year the pollution levels will be decreased, "We are expecting lower air and noise pollution this time, due to the ban on crackers. The initial figure currently indicates that pollution was down but the final figure will be revealed on Monday," said Kuldeep Singh, regional officer (North zone) of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board.
The officials also said due to excessive use of firecrackers during Diwali and stubble burning in rural areas of Haryana, the air quality index (AQI) of the millennium city of Gurugram also entered the dangerous zone.
On the other hand, some hospitals in Gurugram have even reported a 25 to 30 per cent rise in visits by patients due to conditions linked to hazardous air quality after Diwali.
Doctors have warned that even though the impact of air pollution may not be immediately visible, it may have long-term effects, especially for pregnant women and their unborn babies.
"The increased pollution caused by sulphur and charcoal in the air forces less oxygen supply to the mother who may get asthmatic and bronchospasms as she is not breathing pure oxygen. This affects the oxygen supply to the baby in the womb as well and may cause growth restriction. To protect yourself and kids close all the doors and windows of the room and use an air purifier," said Chetna Jain, Head, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Apollo Cradle Hospital, Gurugram.