There has also been a rise in noise pollution in certain areas of the city. A recent report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that noise levels in 2013 had risen in areas such as Jubilee Hills compared to 2012.

This time, APPCB officials have pressed the panic button. “From our side, we will be conducting widespread awareness campaigns to educate people about the harm caused by bursting crackers, and urge them to stop. We hope pollution levels reduce this year,” B Raghu, senior environmental engineer, APPCB, told Express.

People, especially children and the elderly, are extremely prone to several diseases as a result of pollution. Pointing at the huge influx of patients into hospitals during Diwali, doctors explain that pollution increases the risk of ailments such as bronchitis, asthma, hearing problems and cardiovascular diseases. “The influx of patients is double or sometimes, even triple during Diwali, as compared to a normal day. Apart from burns, people suffer from all kinds of respiratory problems. Also, loud noise causes cardiovascular problems and we see many patients complaining of chest pain post-Diwali,” informs Dr Guruprasad, ENT surgeon at Care Hospital.

Stating that exposure to pollution might have a long-term impact on a patient, Dr Guruprasad urges people to refrain from bursting crackers. “People often say they are bursting crackers just for a day. However, it can sometimes lead to permament hearing loss among patients. Psychiatric patients are also vulnerable, they start to develop panic attacks,” he warns.

APPCB officials will also compile a Special Monitoring Data - they will record pollution levels across the city starting October 17 till the end of the festival. “Every year, we monitor the pollution levels during the festival and pass on the data to CPCB, who will then advise manufacturing companies to change their products in order to reduce pollution levels,” said Krupa Nanda, another senior environmental engineer at APPCB.