Delhi chokes on post-Diwali pollution
The gist
New Delhi's air quality plunged into the severe category after Diwali fireworks, with the AQI hitting a hazardous 483.
Residents face toxic air as political parties trade blame over enforcement and data.
How it unfolded
- Nov 7, 2026Authorities enforced Stage III emergency measures to combat anticipated post-festival smog, two days before the reported spike.
- Nov 8, 2026A thick, toxic haze enveloped New Delhi on Sunday morning as air quality plunged into the severe category after overnight firecracker celebrations; the overall AQI hit a hazardous 483, with multiple locations above 400, per the CPCB.
- Nov 8, 2026Delhi's overall AQI was 373 at 11.05 pm on Sunday, per CPCB data on the Sameer application; Alipur, Bawana, Burari, Chandni Chowk, Mundka, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini and Vivek Vihar were among areas where AQI crossed 400.
Key terms
- Diwali
- Hindu festival of lights celebrating the triumph of good over evil, lasting five or six days in autumn.
- AQI
- A scale that indicates how polluted the air is and the related health risk.
- stubble burning
- The intentional burning of crop stubble left in fields after harvest, done to clear land quickly and cheaply.
Source: Wikipedia