📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Goutam1962
Weather
Delhi's Diwali Kick‑off Shrouded in Smog as AQI Hits Near‑400 Levels
✍️ News18
🗓 08 Nov 2026, 08:11 AM
👁 13
The first day of Diwali in Delhi unfolded under heavy smog, with air‑quality indices approaching 400 in multiple parts of the city.
Delhi began its Diwali celebrations on a thick blanket of smog, with the Air Quality Index recorded close to 400 in several monitoring stations across the city. The readings place the air quality in the "severe" to "hazardous" bracket, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's classification.
Health officials warned residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor exposure and to use masks certified for particulate filtration. Schools and some public venues were advised to keep windows closed and to postpone outdoor programs where feasible.
The dense haze reduced visibility on major thoroughfares, prompting traffic police to issue advisories for slower driving. Despite the conditions, many households proceeded with traditional lighting of diyas and fireworks, though authorities urged restraint to avoid further deterioration of air quality.
City officials continue to monitor pollutant levels and have pledged to intensify anti‑smog measures, including temporary restrictions on construction activities and diesel generators, as the festive period progresses.
Health officials warned residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor exposure and to use masks certified for particulate filtration. Schools and some public venues were advised to keep windows closed and to postpone outdoor programs where feasible.
The dense haze reduced visibility on major thoroughfares, prompting traffic police to issue advisories for slower driving. Despite the conditions, many households proceeded with traditional lighting of diyas and fireworks, though authorities urged restraint to avoid further deterioration of air quality.
City officials continue to monitor pollutant levels and have pledged to intensify anti‑smog measures, including temporary restrictions on construction activities and diesel generators, as the festive period progresses.