Bhubaneswar, Oct. 31: Air pollution assumed alarming proportions last night and this morning owing to Diwali celebrations with the high level of suspended particulate matter in the air putting the people at severe health risk.

According to the state pollution control board's data, the suspended particulate matter at Unit-VIII rose to a high of 141 microgram per cubic metre, while the same at Palasuni stood at 123 and 108 at Unit-I last night. Any figure above 100 is considered a health risk.

On October 4, suspended particulate matter was 73 microgram per cubic metre at Unit-I and 52 at Unit VIII.

"Air quality deteriorates due to the generation of heavy smoke on Diwali. People need to be aware of it and the ones with health problems should be careful," said senior environmentalist D.K. Behera.

According to the Air Quality Index, suspended particulate matter beyond the 100 mark is considered severe air pollution. Breathing in such air leads to serious aggravation of heart and lungs diseases. It also increases the risk of premature death and makes people vulnerable to cardio-respiratory diseases.

Capital Hospital patients' data accessed by The Telegraph reveals that the premier hospital yesterday received around 50 patients complaining of breathing trouble.

"People with respiratory problems, especially asthmatic patients, are vulnerable to breathing problems during Diwali due to deterioration of the air quality. They should remain cautious about the consequences and keep their inhalers at hand," said pulmonologist Janardan Rath.

Visibility during the early hours today was affected by smog. "The situation was such due to the smoke generated during Diwali and also because of a combination of factors such as slow wind speed and moisture in the air. The temperature also came down this morning and this added to the problem," said meteorologist Sarat Sahu, adding that visibility dropped to 200 metres today in Bhubaneswar.

The data showed how the efforts of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to observe a "green" Diwali had failed. The civic body also had a tough time conducting the cleanliness drive this morning.

"We had urged the people to observe Diwali in an eco-friendly way and we are happy that many of them have done so. But we cannot ask them to stop the celebrations. We have also put adequate dustbins and had conducted the cleanliness activities early today. All the garbage generated during the celebrations was disposed off at our dump yard," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

Besides the air pollution, the city administration has also had tough time dealing with burn cases. According to sources, Capital Hospital received 19 patients with burns last night. "We had opened a special ward. Of all the patients we received, one was referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack while others were discharged after preliminary treatment," said hospital director Biswa Bhusan Pattnaik.

Nayapalli resident Akash Dash said Diwali this time was quieter as compared to previous years. "I don't know whether the civic body's drive made an impact on the citizens or not, but the celebration this time was quite calm. I could hear the sounds of the cracker's only after 9pm. I too had decided to celebrate Diwali peacefully to pay a tribute to our army," said Dash, a corporate employee.