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Hyderabad Choked: New Year's Eve Smoke Blankets City
2 Jan
Summary
- New Year's Day saw Hyderabad's air quality reach 'severe' levels.
- AQI peaked at 353 by 6 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
- Pollution caused by firecrackers, traffic, dust, and construction.
Hyderabad experienced a severe air pollution event on January 1, 2026, following New Year's Eve festivities. Revelers' celebrations contributed to thick smog blanketing the city, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) spiking to 339 at midnight and reaching a daily high of 353 by 6 a.m., classified as 'severe'. For many residents, visibility was severely reduced.
The pollution levels remained critically high throughout the day. Even by mid-afternoon, the lowest recorded AQI was 230, considered 'poor'. Particulate matter levels for PM 2.5 and PM 10 far exceeded World Health Organization limits. Some locations, like Badangpet, recorded 'hazardous' AQI levels exceeding 400.
Experts attribute the elevated pollution to a combination of factors including firecracker smoke, vehicular emissions, and dust, exacerbated by Hyderabad's arid climate and construction activities. The friction from vehicle tires also contributes microplastics, a newly identified pollutant.
