Red clouds above Ranchi city.

Sky above Ranchi city is covered with red clouds.

by

Dr. Nitish Priyadarshi

On 19th night layers of Red coloured clouds were seen in the sky of Ranchi city, the capital of Jharkhand State of India. These colour is due to pollution mixed with reflection of city light. From last several days lots of fire crackers were used due to Diwali and other festivals.

Toxic smokes due to fire crackers.

Toxic smoke is seen in the sky above Ranchi city.

by

Dr. Nitish Priyadarshi.

In the above picture stagnant toxic smoke is seen above Ranchi city in Jharkhand state of India. It is due to the fire crackers and other explosives burnt during Diwali night and the next day. Such smokes are contaminated with toxic heavy metals injurious to lungs, eyes etc. It may cause breathing problems, irritation in eyes, increase in blood pressure etc. If it rains it may also cause acid rain.

Lighting firecrackers increases the sulphur dioxide level 200-fold, above the safety levels prescribed by the World Health Organisation.

More chemicals are added to give colour, Metals, such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium, burn very brightly and are useful for increasing the temperature of the firework. Fireworks produce smoke and dust that may contain residues of heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds and some low concentration toxic chemicals. These by-products of fireworks combustion will vary depending on the mix of ingredients of a particular firework. (The color green, for instance, may be produced by adding the various compounds and salts of Barium,

Fireworks were invented in ancient China in the 12th century to scare away evil spirits.

Ranchi is celebrating Diwali

Ranchi sky is covered with smoke of the crackers. Stars are not visible.

Ranchi getting ready for Diwali.

Ranchi the capital city of Jharkhand State of India is preparing for Diwali festival which going to be celebrated on 28th of October. People are purchasing sweets, crackers, toys made of soils painted with different colours etc. In the picture below a women is found selling oil made by the extracts of plants. This oil will be used to burn lights with the help of earthy pots (diya). Such oils (Karanj oil) are the best examples of bio-fuel used in the State of Jharkhand from the ancient days. Buildings are also being decorated with lights instead of traditional methods of burning lights in the pots made of soils.

My son preparing to burn crackers in the night today on the eve of Diwali Festival


Buildings are getting decorated for Diwali

The colourful sweets being sold in the local market. These sweets are found only in Diwali

All photographs by Nitish Priyadarshi