New Delhi woke up on Tuesday morning to a dense, suffocating blanket of smog—a grim reminder that the city’s annual pollution season has begun. The morning air was thick with smoke and haze following the night-long Diwali celebrations, as firecrackers exploded across the city despite repeated government restrictions. The combination of festival fireworks, stagnant winter air, and existing emissions pushed the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas beyond 500, levels categorized as “severe” and over ten times higher than what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers safe.
Environmental monitoring agencies reported that concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) soared overnight, with some neighborhoods recording readings close to 1,800 μg/m³. This toxic mix drastically reduced visibility and caused a spike in complaints of respiratory discomfort among residents. The morning commute was sluggish, as drivers navigated through a grey haze that blanketed the capital and its suburbs.
Experts have attributed this hazardous air to a combination of factors. Even though the Delhi government has banned traditional firecrackers since 2020, this year’s temporary relaxation for “green crackers” provided little relief. Many people ignored the permitted time limits and continued bursting fireworks well past midnight. Additionally, seasonal stubble burning in neighboring Punjab and Haryana, high vehicular emissions, and dust from ongoing construction activities contributed heavily to the pollution surge. The onset of cooler weather and calm winds also prevented pollutants from dispersing, trapping them closer to the ground.
Health officials have warned residents to exercise caution. Doctors advise avoiding outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and those with asthma or heart conditions. The use of N95 masks and air purifiers has been strongly recommended. “The current air quality can cause throat irritation, coughing, and breathlessness even among healthy individuals,” said a pulmonologist from a Delhi hospital. “People must limit outdoor exposure until conditions improve.”
In response to the alarming situation, the Delhi government is preparing to implement emergency measures, including exploring the option of artificial rain through cloud-seeding technology. Officials believe this could help temporarily wash away pollutants from the atmosphere. However, environmental experts argue that such short-term fixes are insufficient. They stress the need for stricter enforcement of pollution laws, cleaner transportation systems, and long-term strategies to curb emissions from agriculture, industry, and vehicles.
This post-Diwali pollution episode marks the unofficial start of Delhi’s “smog season,” which typically lasts until January. During this period, air quality remains poor to hazardous, severely affecting the city’s 20 million residents. Despite public awareness campaigns and repeated government interventions, the toxic haze has become an annual ritual.
As one resident put it, “Every Diwali, we celebrate with lights and end up with smoke. The joy lasts for a night, but the pollution lingers for months.” With the air turning increasingly poisonous, Delhi once again finds itself choking under the weight of its own festivities and unrelenting emissions—a cycle that seems far from being broken.
