Diwali festivities this year brought a sharp spike in both air and noise pollution for thousands of hapless residents, while many others openly flouted norms. One city crossed 300 and Pune’s reading is 2.5 times last year’s. Here’s the list, and why inland Maharashtra is. Scientists warned that Pune's severe air pollution could persist into Tuesday morning as PM2.5 levels surged to historic highs following widespread firecracker bursting.