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Delhi Chokes Under Thick Smog After Diwali Celebrations
21 Oct
Summary
- Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' after Diwali
- 34 out of 37 monitoring stations record 'very poor' to 'severe' pollution
- Thick blanket of smog covers the city, reducing visibility
On the morning of October 21st, 2025, Delhi's air quality has taken a sharp turn for the worse, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at a concerning 347, firmly in the 'very poor' category. This deterioration in air quality comes as a direct result of the Diwali celebrations that took place the previous night, as a large number of residents in the national capital region (NCR) opted to defy the firecracker ban and indulge in the traditional festivities.
The impact of this Diwali revelry is evident across the city, with 34 out of the 37 air quality monitoring stations recording pollution levels in the 'red zone', indicating 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality. Only three stations, located at DTU, IGI Airport - T3, and Sri Aurobindo Marg, managed to record AQI levels below 300, which is still considered 'poor'.
Visuals shared by news agencies paint a grim picture, with a thick blanket of smog covering the city and significantly reducing visibility on several major roads. This situation is likely to persist in the coming days, as the pollutants from the firecrackers continue to linger in the atmosphere, posing a serious health risk to the residents of Delhi.
