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News|EnvironmentDiwali provokes ‘hazardous’ alert over New Delhi air qualityFireworks set off for the festival of lights contribute to Indian capital’s ‘worst in the world’ air quality.

Recent festivities in New Delhi have led to a significant deterioration in air quality, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a hazardous level of 442 on the morning of Tue, Oct 21, 2025. This measurement was reported by Swiss air quality firm…

NBy Natalie RhodesOct 21, 20252 min read

Recent festivities in New Delhi have led to a significant deterioration in air quality, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a hazardous level of 442 on the morning of Tue, Oct 21, 2025. This measurement was reported by Swiss air quality firm IQAir.

The city has become the most polluted major city globally, primarily due to the extensive use of fireworks during the Diwali festival. The air quality has been further compromised by emissions from traffic, industry, and agriculture, particularly during cooler months.

The concentration of PM2.5 particles in New Delhi's air exceeded the World Health Organization's recommended annual guideline by over 59 times. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India rated the air quality as "very poor," with an AQI of 350, whereas an AQI of 0-50 is considered good.

Vehicles move on a road shrouded in smog in New Delhi, India, on October 21, 2025 [Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters]

The city has become the most polluted major city globally, primarily due to the extensive use of fireworks during the Diwali festival.
Natalie Rhodes · Thehackingpost

The Supreme Court of India recently relaxed a ban on firecrackers, allowing the use of "green crackers" with lower emissions for limited hours. However, there were reports of non-compliance with these time restrictions.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences anticipates that the air quality in New Delhi will remain "Very Poor to Poor," with AQI levels projected to range between 201 and 400 in the coming days.

Every winter, New Delhi and its surrounding districts experience a dense smog due to cold air trapping pollutants like construction dust, vehicle emissions, and agricultural smoke. This situation often exacerbates respiratory illnesses among the city's 20 million residents.

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A commuter with his face covered in cloth rides along a bridge across the Yamuna river in New Delhi on October 21, 2025 [AFP]

New Delhi is not the only South Asian city grappling with severe air pollution. Lahore in Pakistan recorded the second-highest AQI of 234 on the same day, as per IQAir data. Lahore, located in the Punjab province, has initiated an "emergency plan" to combat air pollution, which includes measures like reducing farm fires and controlling emissions from vehicles.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.

AI transparency. This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published under human editorial oversight. AI systems can make mistakes. Read how we use AI (EU AI Act, Art. 50).
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