New Delhi blanketed in toxic smog after Diwali fireworks

New Delhi's air quality deteriorated early Monday morning following Diwali celebrations, as firecrackers ignited the smog-filled skies over the city. Despite authorities imposing restrictions on fireworks, residents in New Delhi embraced the Hindu festival of lights with firecrackers on Sunday evening, releasing smoke and fine particles into the atmosphere.

The Air Quality Index in several parts of the capital surged past 350 on Monday morning, classified as severe and posing severe health risks. Monitoring stations across the city reported similarly alarming levels, while visibility dropped as a gray haze enveloped streets and high-rise buildings. India's Supreme Court had previously sought to limit Diwali pollution by restricting conventional firecrackers and permitting only "green firecrackers" under specific conditions for short time windows on Saturday and Sunday.

However, even these crackers release particulate matter and other pollutants, worsening the city's already hazardous air. New Delhi and its metropolitan region, housing over 30 million people, routinely rank among the world's most polluted areas during winter. Pollution exacerbates during Diwali due to cooler weather, smoke from crop-residue fires in neighboring Punjab and Haryana states, and other local sources like vehicles, industries, and construction dust.

The problem intensifies in late October and November when cooler temperatures, low wind speeds, and stagnant atmospheric conditions limit pollutant dispersion, resulting in a thick haze that can linger for days. New Delhi authorities have taken steps to mitigate pollution, including construction limits and diesel generator restrictions, while courts have also sought firecracker restrictions.

Yet, the annual crisis still persists. Environmentalists emphasize the need for long-term solutions, such as cleaner energy and stricter vehicle emission controls, to prevent the recurring pollution crisis.