In pictures: Smog blankets Indian cities after Deepavali as firecrackers push air quality to ‘severe’

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a severe level of 404 on Monday, November 9, 2026, following Deepavali celebrations, despite strict fireworks restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court. People ignored the deadline, and the AQI remained elevated since then. The highest reading of 441 was recorded at Burari Crossing, followed by Vivek Vihar (437), DTU (434), DU North Campus and Jahangirpuri (433), and Rohini (430).

Other areas in Delhi, including Rajiv Chowk (381) and South Extension (360), also experienced "Very Poor" air quality. In Mumbai, smog blanketed the Kalanagar and Bandra areas, with AQI readings ranging from 193 to 264. Uttar Pradesh faced smog in Lucknow, with AQI values between 223 and 246. Several Indian cities, including Lucknow, Amritsar, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Jaipur, Udaipur, Surat, Nagpur, Pune, Bhopal, and Hyderabad, experienced "poor" or "very poor" air quality due to Deepavali emissions.

Central and industrial belt areas also saw a spike in pollution levels. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classified AQI levels as "good" (0-50), "satisfactory" (51-100), "moderate" (101-200), "poor" (201-300), "very poor" (301-400), and "severe" (401-500). Stage III GRAP restrictions were imposed in Delhi and adjoining districts due to severe air quality, with increased enforcement and pollution-control measures in place.