A thick blanket of grey smog engulfed Delhi on Monday morning, a day after Diwali celebrations, significantly reducing visibility and worsening air pollution across the national capital. Despite restrictions on firecracker use, widespread bursting of crackers continued late into the night, causing the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to climb to 370, placing it in the “very poor” category and close to the “severe” range. Several monitoring stations, including DTU and Burari Crossing, recorded AQI levels above 430, while many other parts of the city also reported severe pollution, leaving residents with eye irritation, breathing discomfort, and poor visibility.

Air quality monitoring agencies warned that pollution levels are likely to deteriorate further in the coming days due to a combination of stagnant weather conditions, vehicular emissions, and stubble burning in neighbouring states. According to IQAir, Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration reached nearly 170 micrograms per cubic metre—around 34 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline. PM2.5 particles are considered especially dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Authorities have forecast that Delhi’s air quality will remain in the “severe” category over the next few days as low wind speeds and poor atmospheric ventilation continue to trap pollutants over the city. Residents across several neighbourhoods reported dense smoke, a strong smell of firecrackers, and increasing breathing difficulties after Diwali festivities. Environmental experts have once again stressed the need for stricter enforcement of pollution-control measures and greater public awareness to reduce the health risks associated with recurring post-Diwali air pollution.