Air quality in Bhubaneswar plunged to the severe category on Diwali night, as pollution levels reached alarming heights due to extensive bursting of firecrackers across the city. Air quality in Bhubaneswar deteriorated to the 'poor' category with an AQI of 206 post-Diwali, while Talcher recorded an AQI of 281 due to firecracker emissions. Bhubaneswar AQI hit 522 after Diwali, with PM2.5 reaching 589 µg/m³ at Unit-VIII and residents reporting breathing problems.