New Delhi was shrouded in a thick blanket of choking haze and smog on Monday morning following a weekend of Diwali celebrations. The Hindu festival of lights, marked by oil lamps and firecrackers, saw illegal fireworks light up the skies, severely impacting the city's air quality.
The Air Quality Index exceeded 350 in several parts of the capital, reaching the severe category. This surge to hazardous levels poses significant and heightened health risks for more than 30 million residents.
New Delhi was ranked as the world's most polluted major city on the eve of Diwali. Home to over 30 million people, the city regularly ranks among the world's most polluted areas during winter, specifically in late October and November. Air pollution is expected to worsen in the coming days.