Delhi’s post-Diwali air turns deadly as smog thickens

Experts say Diwali fireworks triggered toxic surge, crippling Delhi’s fragile air system

Last updated:
Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor
2 MIN READ

Dubai: The morning after Diwali brought a familiar sight to India’s capital — a thick, choking haze blanketing the skyline. According to data analysed by Climate Trends from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality in Delhi soared to 488 µg/m³ of PM2.5 — more than 56 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organisation.

The five-year analysis from 2021 to 2025 shows a consistent Diwali-related pollution spike, with PM2.5 concentrations typically doubling or tripling during the festival night and persisting through the following day. Experts attribute the surge mainly to firecracker emissions, temporarily overwhelming Delhi’s already stressed air quality system.

Particulate matter (PM2.5) — a fine blend of solid and liquid particles — is especially harmful as it can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream deeply. During Diwali, these particles combine with cooler temperatures and calm winds, creating temperature inversion conditions that trap pollutants close to the surface.

“Every year, the pattern repeats — high emissions from fireworks, low nighttime temperatures, and almost no wind to disperse the pollutants,” said an environmental researcher with Climate Trends.

While data suggests a slight downward trend in peak PM2.5 levels over the past five years — possibly due to awareness campaigns and limited bans on fireworks — the capital continues to battle dangerous air each festive season. season. For millions of residents, Diwali’s sparkle still comes with a breath-stealing cost.

Video and inputs from AFP

Devadasan K P
Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor
Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.

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