A woman and her daughter prepare a rangoli at their home in Gaya on Tuesday. Picture by Suman

Patna, Oct. 25: Be careful when you burst firecrackers this Diwali not only to prevent accidents but also because the state pollution control board will keep a close watch on the effluence levels.

Experts emphasised on the importance of observing safety regulations while having fun during Diwali. Else, the sweetness of the festival of lights could turn sour.

Skin specialist Dr RKP Choudhary told The Telegraph: “It is necessary to observe some safety measures while bursting crackers during Diwali to prevent mishaps.”

While advising residents about the safety measures to be followed, authorities claimed that they would be ready to deal with any emergency. Patna senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar told The Telegraph: “Police and fire services will co-ordinate on Diwali. All police stations have been alerted. People will be able to contact the police in case of an emergency.”

While personal safety is essential, the security of the environment is also a major concern of the authorities.

Sources said the Bihar State Pollution Control Board would keep a close watch on the sound and air pollution levels in the state capital this year on the Diwali night. For this, they have conducted pre-Diwali sampling of pollution levels in different parts of the state capital.

M.N. Singh, the member secretary of the board, told The Telegraph: “Air pollution sampling was done at a number of places like Gandhi Maidan and Beltron Bhavan. The figures we gathered were alarming. The quantity of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter in the environment is alarming.”

A source said pre-Diwali sound pollution sampling is done every year. According to the instructions of the Central Pollution Control Board, the state board would conduct a sampling on the Diwali night as well. “The sound pollution sampling was conducted at the Boring Road area, which is an important location of the state capital. The noise levels were alarming,” the source added.

Residents, too, raised their voices against pollution.

Boring Road resident Amit Kumar said: “People should realise how pollution hurts everyone. I don’t understand why most people don’t realise the harm they cause by bursting loud crackers.”