{
  "id": 18226156,
  "title": "Delhi chokes on ‘very poor’ air after cleanest October in years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/delhi-chokes-on-very-poor-air-after-cleanest-october-in-years",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-05T01:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/11/05/asia-pacific/delhi-air-cleanest-october/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, Delhi was enveloped in a thick smog as the city's winter pollution worsened a week before Diwali. The air quality index peaked at 379, nearing the \"very poor\" threshold defined by India's Central Pollution Control Board. Fine particulate matter, which can enter lungs and bloodstream, averaged 277, surpassing the World Health Organization's 24-hour limit by more than 18 times. This marks a stark contrast to last month's AQI of 166, the cleanest October in eight years. The pollution spike is attributed to unusually heavy rain washing away pollutants and favorable airflow dispersing emissions.",
  "summary": "The Indian capital's winter pollution worsened a week ahead of the Diwali festival, when firecrackers typically intensify the haze.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Delhi Chokes on ‘Very Poor’ Air After Cleanest October in Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/delhi-chokes-on-very-poor-air-after-cleanest-october-in-years",
        "published": "2026-11-04T13:15:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}