Data report · Updated October 2026
Diwali firecracker noise and dogs: how loud Indian cities get, what the law allows, and how to keep your dog calm
On Deepavali 2025, average noise from 6 pm to midnight reached 83.0 dB(A) in Chennai and Trichy, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board data show. The residential day limit is 55 dB(A). Jaipur's Jawahar Nagar logged 92 dB(A) on Diwali night 2022, 47 dB(A) over the 45 dB(A) night limit. Dogs hear up to about 45,000 Hz, roughly twice the human range, and fireworks are the noise owners most often report their dogs fear.
Key findings
- Across 17 Tamil Nadu cities, average evening noise rose from 60.8 dB(A) a week before Deepavali 2025 to 77.0 dB(A) on the day.
- Chennai and Trichy both logged 83.0 dB(A) on Deepavali 2025, the highest of the 17 cities; the board says the 2024 peak was 88 dB(A).
- In Chennai, Besant Nagar recorded a single peak of 119.2 dB(A) between 8 and 9 pm on Deepavali 2025.
- Jaipur's Jawahar Nagar, a residential area, logged 60.1 dB(A) on Diwali night 2020, 92.0 in 2022 and 85.7 in 2024, against a 45 dB(A) limit.
- Across India in 2019, Deepawali-day noise ranged from 45 to 98 dB(A) at 258 locations in 107 cities, CPCB reported.
- Of 145 locations monitored in both 2018 and 2019, CPCB found noise fell at 79, rose at 55 and stayed level at 11.
- The law caps firecracker noise at 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C)pk at 4 m and bans fireworks from 10 pm to 6 am.
- On 30 September 2026 the Supreme Court refused a total cracker ban and allowed specified green joint crackers nationwide with conditions.
- In a UK study, almost half of owners interviewed said their dog showed at least one sign of fear at noises, and fireworks were the most common trigger.
How loud is Diwali in Indian cities?
Diwali noise in Indian cities often runs 10 to 30 dB(A) above the residential day limit, and up to 47 dB(A) above the night limit. On Deepavali 2025, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board measured 83.0 dB(A) in Chennai and Trichy, averaged over 6 pm to midnight.
The legal limit in a residential area is 55 dB(A) by day and 45 dB(A) after 10 pm. Chennai's reading was 28 dB(A) over the day limit. Decibels are logarithmic: every 10 dB is ten times the sound energy, so 28 dB(A) is roughly 630 times the energy.
The jump is sharp. Across the 17 cities the board monitored, the average went from 60.8 dB(A) on an ordinary evening a week earlier to 77.0 dB(A) on the night. Trichy rose by 28 dB(A).
Source: TNPCB Deepavali Survey Report 2025, Table I. Leq dB(A). Residential limits: 55 day, 45 night.
Show the numbers
| Label | dB(A) |
|---|---|
| Chennai | 83.0 |
| Trichy | 83.0 |
| Madurai | 82.2 |
| Thanjavur | 81.3 |
| Chengalpet | 79.3 |
| Tiruppur | 79.2 |
| Hosur | 78.7 |
| Vellore | 77.5 |
| Thoothukudi | 77.2 |
| Salem | 76.9 |
| Nagapattinam | 76.0 |
| Tirunelveli | 75.9 |
| Dindigul | 75.6 |
| Coimbatore | 73.3 |
| Cuddalore | 72.6 |
| Kancheepuram | 72.4 |
| Nagercoil | 64.8 |
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| City | Pre-Deepavali (13 Oct 2025) | Deepavali (20 Oct 2025) | Rise (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichy | 54.8 | 83.0 | 28.2 |
| Tiruppur | 54.9 | 79.2 | 24.3 |
| Nagapattinam | 53.4 | 76.0 | 22.6 |
| Madurai | 61.5 | 82.2 | 20.7 |
| Tirunelveli | 56.3 | 75.9 | 19.6 |
| Thanjavur | 61.7 | 81.3 | 19.6 |
| Thoothukudi | 57.8 | 77.2 | 19.4 |
| Chennai | 64.1 | 83.0 | 18.9 |
| Chengalpet | 62.5 | 79.3 | 16.8 |
| Nagercoil | 50.8 | 64.8 | 14.0 |
| Kancheepuram | 59.7 | 72.4 | 12.7 |
| Dindigul | 62.9 | 75.6 | 12.7 |
| Hosur | 66.4 | 78.7 | 12.3 |
| Salem | 66.1 | 76.9 | 10.8 |
| Vellore | 68.0 | 77.5 | 9.5 |
| Coimbatore | 64.0 | 73.3 | 9.3 |
| Cuddalore | 68.4 | 72.6 | 4.2 |
The worst hours for dogs
The worst stretch runs between 7 pm and 10 pm. Chennai's hour-by-hour readings for Deepavali 2025 show averages of 85 to 89 dB(A) at Triplicane from 6 to 9 pm, falling to about 60 by midnight.
Averages hide the bangs that frighten dogs most. Besant Nagar's average for 8 to 9 pm was 61.8 dB(A), but its loudest single moment in that hour hit 119.2 dB(A). Peaks above 100 dB(A) were logged at 6 of the 7 Chennai sites.
The pattern fits the rules. Bursting is meant to stop at 10 pm, and readings after 10 pm drop at most sites, though not all. At Valasaravakkam the 10 to 11 pm average was 77.3 dB(A).
| Hour | Triplicane Leq | Triplicane peak | Besant Nagar Leq | Besant Nagar peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 7 pm | 85.3 | 112.2 | 67.7 | 104.3 |
| 7 to 8 pm | 88.7 | 112.7 | 64.9 | 99.5 |
| 8 to 9 pm | 87.4 | 110.6 | 61.8 | 119.2 |
| 9 to 10 pm | 81.2 | 103.0 | 59.8 | 112.5 |
| 10 to 11 pm | 66.7 | 81.4 | 46.7 | 102.6 |
| 11 pm to midnight | 60.4 | 78.2 | 50.1 | 88.8 |
Louder in some cities, quieter in others
In Jaipur, the residential area of Jawahar Nagar went from 60.1 dB(A) on Diwali night 2020, a year of Covid restrictions, to 92.0 in 2022. It was 85.7 in 2024.
Gandhi Nagar, also residential, has risen every year since 2020, from 66.8 dB(A) to 83.4. Both sites were far above the 45 dB(A) night limit in every year on record.
Nationally, CPCB's last published comparison found modest improvement. Of 145 locations monitored in both 2018 and 2019, noise fell at 79 and rose at 55. Tamil Nadu reported that its 2025 peak of 83.0 dB(A) was below the 88 dB(A) peak of 2024.
Source: Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Diwali Festival Noise Report 2024. Night limit for residential areas: 45 dB(A).
Show the numbers
| Label | dB(A) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 60.1 |
| 2021 | 78.7 |
| 2022 | 92.0 |
| 2023 | 85.6 |
| 2024 | 85.7 |
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| Year | Jawahar Nagar | Gandhi Nagar | Night limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 60.1 | 66.8 | 45 |
| 2021 | 78.7 | 69.8 | 45 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 72.6 | 45 |
| 2023 | 85.6 | 80.8 | 45 |
| 2024 | 85.7 | 83.4 | 45 |
What CPCB measured in Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and other cities
CPCB's own teams monitor a set of stations in eight cities each Deepawali. In 2019 the loudest residential reading among them was Agra's HR Estate at 82 dB(A), followed by Indira Nagar in Lucknow at 81.
In Delhi, the five residential stations logged 68 to 71 dB(A) on Deepawali day 2019, down from 69 to 75 in 2018. Kolkata's Salt Lake fell from 75 to 67. Pre-Deepawali readings at the same sites were mostly in the 50s and low 60s.
Across all 258 locations reported by CPCB and state boards in 2019, Deepawali-day noise ranged from 45 to 98 dB(A). The highest was at a hospital area in Udaipur, Tripura, inside a silence zone with a 50 dB(A) day limit.
Source: CPCB, Report on Ambient Noise Levels and Ambient Air Quality during Deepawali Festival 2018 and 2019. Residential day limit 55 dB(A).
Show the numbers
| Label | dB(A) |
|---|---|
| Agra, HR Estate | 82 |
| Lucknow, Indira Nagar | 81 |
| Vadodara, Harinagar | 80 |
| Delhi, Janakpuri | 71 |
| Delhi, Kamla Nagar | 70 |
| Delhi, Lajpat Nagar | 69 |
| Bhopal, Nehru Nagar | 69 |
| Delhi, Mayur Vihar Ph-II | 68 |
| Delhi, Pitampura | 68 |
| Lucknow, Gomti Nagar | 68 |
| Kolkata, Salt Lake | 67 |
| Bengaluru, Rajarajeshwari Nagar | 67 |
| Vadodara, MS University | 65 |
Embed this chart
| City | Station | Pre-Deepawali 2018 | Deepawali 2018 | Pre-Deepawali 2019 | Deepawali 2019 | Rise in 2019 (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Lajpat Nagar (R) | 62 | 69 | 63 | 69 | 6 |
| Delhi | Mayur Vihar Ph-II (R) | 68 | 74 | 63 | 68 | 5 |
| Delhi | Pitampura (R) | 43 | 75 | 49 | 68 | 19 |
| Delhi | Kamla Nagar (R) | 59 | 74 | 62 | 70 | 8 |
| Delhi | Janakpuri (R) | 55 | 75 | 57 | 71 | 14 |
| Delhi | Okhla (C) | 61 | 68 | 59 | 66 | 7 |
| Lucknow | Indira Nagar (R) | 59 | 84 | 67 | 81 | 14 |
| Lucknow | Gomti Nagar (R) | 61 | 75 | 61 | 68 | 7 |
| Agra | HR Estate (R) | 60 | 80 | 55 | 82 | 27 |
| Kolkata | Salt Lake (R) | 50 | 75 | 56 | 67 | 11 |
| Kolkata | Kasba (C) | 67 | 82 | 55 | 70 | 15 |
| Bhopal | Nehru Nagar (R) | 59 | 73 | 58 | 69 | 11 |
| Bhopal | North T.T. Nagar (C) | 68 | 79 | 69 | 75 | 6 |
| Vadodara | MS University (R) | 57 | 65 | 54 | 65 | 11 |
| Vadodara | Harinagar (R) | 77 | 77 | 67 | 80 | 13 |
| Bengaluru | Rajarajeshwari Nagar (R) | 60 | 65 | 62 | 67 | 5 |
| Zone | Day limit, 6 am to 10 pm, dB(A) Leq | Night limit, 10 pm to 6 am, dB(A) Leq |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial | 75 | 70 |
| Commercial | 65 | 55 |
| Residential | 55 | 45 |
| Silence zone (100 m around hospitals, schools, courts) | 50 | 40 |
CPCB has not published a national Deepawali noise compilation after the 2018 and 2019 report that we could find. State boards in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Maharashtra continue to publish their own.
Why firecrackers frighten dogs
Dogs hear a wider range than people and slightly quieter sounds. A Louisiana State University veterinary school summary puts dog hearing at about 67 to 45,000 Hz, against 64 to 23,000 Hz for humans. Dogs are most sensitive between 4,000 and 10,000 Hz.
Fireworks are the noise most dogs fear. A University of Bristol study combined a survey of 3,897 owners with interviews of 383. Almost half of those interviewed said their dog showed at least one sign of fear at noises, though only about a quarter called the dog fearful.
Fear of one loud noise often spreads to others. The same study found that fear of fireworks, gunshots and thunder tended to go together, and less than a third of owners had sought professional advice.
Source: LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, "How well do dogs and other animals hear?", citing Heffner (1983) and Fay (1988). Ranges come from different studies and methods.
Show the numbers
| Label | Hz |
|---|---|
| Cat | 64,000 Hz |
| Dog | 45,000 Hz |
| Human | 23,000 Hz |
Embed this chart
- Signs of fear: trembling, panting without heat, hiding, pacing, barking or whining, trying to escape, refusing food.
- Signs that need a vet: injury from a bolt or escape, vomiting, collapse, or panic that does not settle after the noise stops.
Firecracker and green cracker rules
Three sets of rules apply. Firecrackers must not exceed 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C)pk at 4 m from the burst point, under rules notified in October 1999. A Supreme Court order of 27 September 2001 bars fireworks between 10 pm and 6 am.
Since October 2018, in the Arjun Gopal case, the Supreme Court has allowed only reduced-emission "improved" and "green" crackers, and barred barium salts. Green crackers carry a CSIR-NEERI logo and QR code.
The rules keep shifting in Delhi-NCR. On 15 October 2025 the court allowed certified green crackers there from 18 to 21 October, with reports differing on the exact hours. On 30 September 2026 a bench refused a total ban and allowed specified green joint crackers nationwide with conditions.
| Date | Authority | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1999 | MoEF, G.S.R. 682(E), Environment (Protection) Rules | Firecrackers over 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C)pk at 4 m prohibited; lower limit for joined crackers |
| 2000 | Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules | Zone limits: residential 55 dB(A) day, 45 night |
| 27 Sept 2001 | Supreme Court | No fireworks between 10 pm and 6 am |
| 23 and 31 Oct 2018 | Supreme Court, Arjun Gopal v Union of India | Only improved and green crackers; no barium salts |
| 15 Oct 2025 | Supreme Court | Certified green crackers allowed in Delhi-NCR, 18 to 21 Oct 2025, at set hours |
| 30 Sept 2026 | Supreme Court (Justices M M Sundresh and P B Varale) | No total ban; specified green joint crackers allowed nationwide with conditions; barium variants under expert review |
Local timing rules may be tighter than the national ones. Tamil Nadu's board notes that fireworks were allowed only at fixed timings in 2025. Check your state's order before the festival.
How do you keep a dog calm during Diwali fireworks?
Prepare the day, not just the evening. Walk and feed your dog before 6 pm, when Chennai's data show noise starts climbing. A tired, fed dog settles more easily.
Make a quiet den in the most interior room. Close windows and curtains, switch on a fan, the TV or soft music to blur the bangs, and let the dog hide if it wants. Stay calm and nearby, but do not drag a hiding dog out.
Check the collar tag and microchip details before the festival. Frightened dogs bolt through open gates. If your dog panics every year, talk to your vet weeks in advance about behaviour plans and calming options; do not give human sedatives.
- Keep the dog indoors from 6 pm to 11 pm on Diwali and the nights around it.
- Use a leash and harness even for short toilet trips; escapes peak during bursts.
- Keep sweets, ghee and dry fruit boxes out of reach; see our Diwali dog food safety guide.
- Watch for chocolate and kaju katli left on low tables during visits.
- Leave water and a bowl outside for street dogs, who have nowhere to hide.
- Ask neighbours to keep crackers away from gates and parked cars where dogs shelter.
Festival food risks across the year are mapped in our festival food danger calendar, and the sweets most often shared at Diwali are rated in our Indian sweets safety report.
Frequently asked questions
How loud are Diwali firecrackers in decibels?
The legal cap for a single cracker is 125 dB(AI) at 4 m. Area averages on Diwali evening run around 65 to 90 dB(A) in Indian cities; Chennai and Trichy hit 83.0 dB(A) in 2025. Single peaks above 110 dB(A) were recorded at several Chennai sites.
What is the noise limit at night in residential areas?
Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the limit is 45 dB(A) from 10 pm to 6 am and 55 dB(A) by day. Silence zones near hospitals and schools have limits of 40 and 50 dB(A).
Can dogs hear better than humans?
Yes. Research summarised by the LSU veterinary school puts dog hearing at about 67 to 45,000 Hz, against 64 to 23,000 Hz for people. Dogs also detect slightly quieter sounds, with peak sensitivity at 4,000 to 10,000 Hz.
What time are firecrackers allowed on Diwali?
A 2001 Supreme Court order bars fireworks from 10 pm to 6 am across India. States and the court have set narrower windows in some years, especially in Delhi-NCR. Check your state's order for this year.
Are green crackers quieter?
Green crackers are defined mainly by lower emissions, not by noise, and must still meet the 125 dB(AI) cap. In the September 2026 hearing, the government said new green joint crackers stay under 125 dB, against 140 to 160 dB claimed for conventional ones. No independent test has checked that claim.
How do I calm my dog during Diwali?
Walk and feed it before 6 pm, keep it indoors in a quiet interior room with curtains closed, and use a fan or soft sound to mask bangs. Let it hide and stay calm nearby. For severe fear, ask your vet in advance; do not give human medicines.
How many dogs are afraid of fireworks?
In a University of Bristol study, almost half of 383 owners interviewed said their dog showed at least one fear sign at noises. Fireworks were the most commonly reported trigger. There is no comparable Indian study that we know of.
Which cities are loudest on Diwali?
In CPCB and state board data, readings above 80 dB(A) appear in Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Thanjavur (2025), Agra and Lucknow (2019), and Jaipur (every year since 2022). Cities measure at different sites and hours, so compare within a city, not across them.
Methodology and limitations
Noise figures are Leq dB(A), an energy average over the monitoring period, as published by CPCB, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. Tamil Nadu measures 6 pm to midnight; Rajasthan splits 6 to 10 pm (day) and 10 pm to midnight (night).
CPCB station values for 2018 and 2019 are read from the map on page 4 of its Deepawali report. The Tamil Nadu pre-Deepavali and Deepavali averages are from Table I of the 2025 report. Averages, rises and the sound-energy ratio are computed by dogeats.in.
Dog hearing ranges are from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine summary. Fear prevalence is from the University of Bristol study by Blackwell, Bradshaw and Casey in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2013.
Sources
- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board: Deepavali Survey Report 2025, City and hourly noise, Deepavali 2025; 2024 peak
- CPCB: Ambient Noise Levels during Deepawali 2018 and 2019, CPCB station data, national range, noise limits, cracker standard, 2001 SC order
- Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board: Diwali Festival Noise Report 2024, Jaipur five-year comparison
- Also consulted: LSU School of Veterinary Medicine: how well do dogs hear?, University of Bristol: dogs' fear of noises (2013), Blackwell, Bradshaw and Casey (2013), Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Supreme Court order of 31 October 2018, Arjun Gopal v Union of India, Free Press Journal: Supreme Court order of 30 September 2026, Verdictum: Supreme Court relaxes Delhi-NCR ban (15 Oct 2025), The Week and IANS reports on the October 2025 Delhi-NCR order, MPCB Diwali noise monitoring reports (2019, 2020).
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