New Delhi, October 22, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – The national capital Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of acrid smog on Diwali morning, with the city’s air quality plummeting into the ‘very poor’ category after an overnight burst of fireworks despite curbs. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered between 310 and 340 across monitoring stations, placing Delhi firmly in the red zone.
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the spike in pollution levels was primarily attributed to widespread firecracker emissions on Diwali night, as the intensity of stubble burning in neighbouring states such as Punjab and Haryana remained comparatively low this year. Officials said that while meteorological conditions were moderately favourable for pollutant dispersion, the dense overnight smoke and calm surface winds trapped fine particulate matter close to the ground, leading to hazardous concentrations of PM2.5.
Prominent monitoring stations at Anand Vihar, RK Puram, and Jahangirpuri recorded AQI levels exceeding 350, while areas such as Lodhi Road and Chanakyapuri saw marginally better readings but still within the ‘very poor’ range. In some industrial and densely populated pockets, the AQI briefly touched the ‘severe’ threshold during the early morning hours.
Experts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) noted that the contribution of farm fires to Delhi’s pollution remained under 10 per cent on Diwali night, a sharp contrast to previous years when stubble burning accounted for up to 40 per cent of the city’s pollution load during the festival week. However, they cautioned that with northwesterly winds expected to pick up over the next few days, the cumulative impact of stubble smoke could worsen air quality further.
Environmentalists expressed concern over the recurring disregard for firecracker bans despite repeated public advisories and legal restrictions. “Every year, despite awareness drives and court directives, fireworks continue to undo months of air quality management efforts,” said an official from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
The BJP led Delhi government reiterated its appeal for public cooperation, urging citizens to avoid further fireworks during post-Diwali festivities. Emergency response measures, including intensified street watering, mechanical sweeping, and temporary restrictions on construction and heavy vehicle movement, have also been initiated under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
As visibility dipped and the air turned pungent by dawn, health experts warned sensitive groups—including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses to limit outdoor exposure and use protective masks. With winter setting in and wind speeds expected to remain low, the city may remain shrouded in haze for the next several days unless emissions are drastically curtailed.
