Climate

Thick smog shrouds New Delhi after Diwali firecrackers add to seasonal pollution

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 09/11/2026, 17:24:24 UTC.

Briefings

A thick smog blanket shrouded New Delhi on Monday following Diwali celebrations, where residents lit firecrackers despite seasonal pollution restrictions. The air quality index exceeded 350 in several parts of the capital, reaching the severe category and causing visible health issues like throat irritation and eye itching for residents. Monitoring stations recorded similarly alarming levels, while visibility deteriorated as a gray haze blanketed streets and high-rise buildings. India's Supreme Court had previously sought to limit Diwali pollution by restricting conventional firecrackers, though these still release particulate matter. The metropolitan region, home to over 30 million people, regularly ranks among the world's most polluted areas during winter.

Key points

• The air quality index exceeded 350 in several parts of New Delhi on Monday morning, reaching the severe category.
• Residents reported throat irritation and eye itching due to the worsening smog conditions.

Context

New Delhi and its metropolitan region regularly rank among the world's most polluted areas during winter. Pollution worsens as Diwali fireworks coincide with cooler weather and smoke from crop-residue fires in neighboring states of Punjab.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to a single day snapshot from November 2026. Specific health impact data beyond reported irritation is not provided. The article does not contain information on the specific location of the Supreme Court's ruling or the exact timeline of the firecracker restrictions.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 09/11/2026, 17:31:03 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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