New Delhi becomes world's most polluted city after Diwali celebrations

Extensive fireworks displays, despite a government ban, contributes significantly to Indian capital's poor air quality

India’s capital, New Delhi, recorded severe air pollution levels following Diwali celebrations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) peaking at 339 on Friday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Despite a government-imposed ban, extensive fireworks displays contributed significantly to the poor air quality, pushing Delhi to the top of global pollution rankings.

According to Reuters, pollution levels in Delhi rise each winter due to crop-burning activities in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana.

This seasonal issue intensifies after Diwali as cool weather traps smoke and dust, worsening air quality across the region.

CPCB classifies AQI values from 0 to 50 as good, while values between 401 and 500 are hazardous.

Friday’s reading of 339 is considered “very poor,” posing serious health risks to residents, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions. Swiss air monitoring firm IQAir ranked New Delhi as the world’s most polluted city based on its live data.

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai remarked that pollution levels, while high, were not as severe as anticipated post-Diwali.

The Delhi government has enforced fireworks bans during Diwali and winter months in line with Supreme Court directives to curb air pollution.

Agricultural residue burning in northern India, a traditional post-harvest practice, also contributes to seasonal pollution, creating significant smog across the region each winter.

Strong winds from India have pushed Lahore's air quality index to 1,000, causing illnesses among residents, according to Express News.

Meteorologists have warned citizens that the intensity of the smog will persist for the next 48 hours.

NASA has released a map of the high winds, indicating that severe smoke from the burning of crop residues in India has entered Pakistan.

The US space agency also shared air imagery showing that large-scale burning of crop residues in Indian regions has intensified the smog.

Due to changing wind patterns, Lahore's average air pollution index was 157 yesterday, compared to an average of 180 over the past five days.

The swift winds from India have carried smoke into Pakistani areas, with climate experts stating that the extensive burning of crop residues in India has rapidly increased smog levels.