Delhi's air quality plummets to near‑severe levels after Diwali fireworks

Delhi woke up on the night of Diwali to a thick, brownish haze that officials described as toxic. The sudden rise in particulate matter was directly linked to the widespread use of firecrackers across the city. Air‑quality monitors recorded the AQI hovering just below the ‘severe’ threshold, a level rarely seen outside winter smog episodes.
The National Capital Territory’s Pollution Control Board has issued an advisory urging residents to limit outdoor activities, especially those with respiratory conditions. Additional monitoring stations have been deployed to track pollutant levels in real time, and the Delhi government has warned that further firecracker use could trigger stricter restrictions.
Health experts cautioned that prolonged exposure to the haze may aggravate asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. Citizens were advised to wear masks, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers where possible. The city’s municipal authorities are also coordinating with law‑enforcement agencies to enforce existing bans on firecracker sales in designated zones.