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Health
Delhi Air Quality Exceeds WHO Limits 66 Times During Deepavali Fireworks Night
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 09 Nov 2026, 10:38 AM
👁 13
During the night of November 8-9, Delhi's air pollution spiked to more than 66 times the World Health Organization's safe limit, amid widespread defiance of the city's ban on firecrackers. Several monitoring stations failed to report data at the peak of the crisis.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply during the Deepavali night of November 8-9, with pollution levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s safe limit by more than 66 times in several parts of the city. The spike coincided with widespread use of firecrackers, despite a government ban that had been issued to curb pollution.
At the height of the crisis, data from several Delhi government monitoring stations were missing, leaving gaps in the official pollution records. The absence of real‑time data has complicated efforts to assess the full extent of the air quality breach.
The ban on firecrackers was widely ignored, as crowds gathered in public spaces to celebrate the festival. Authorities reported that the celebratory use of fireworks contributed significantly to the sudden surge in particulate matter and other pollutants.
Health officials warned that such extreme pollution levels pose serious risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. The Delhi government has urged residents to stay indoors and use air purifiers until the air quality improves.
At the height of the crisis, data from several Delhi government monitoring stations were missing, leaving gaps in the official pollution records. The absence of real‑time data has complicated efforts to assess the full extent of the air quality breach.
The ban on firecrackers was widely ignored, as crowds gathered in public spaces to celebrate the festival. Authorities reported that the celebratory use of fireworks contributed significantly to the sudden surge in particulate matter and other pollutants.
Health officials warned that such extreme pollution levels pose serious risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. The Delhi government has urged residents to stay indoors and use air purifiers until the air quality improves.