A dense blanket of smog covered New Delhi on Monday, November 9, 2026, following the Hindu festival of Diwali. Residents used firecrackers during Sunday evening celebrations despite government restrictions, releasing smoke and fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. The resulting haze lowered visibility across the city’s streets and high-rise buildings.
The air quality index (AQI) exceeded 350 in several sectors of the capital on Monday morning. According to monitoring stations, these readings reached the "severe" category. Local resident Isyad reported experiencing throat irritation and itching eyes due to the atmospheric conditions.
In October 2026, India’s Supreme Court attempted to mitigate seasonal pollution by restricting conventional fireworks. The court permitted only approved "green firecrackers," which produce fewer emissions, to be used during specific three-hour windows on Saturday and Sunday. However, environmental experts noted that these fireworks still release pollutants into the air.
New Delhi’s air quality typically declines in late October and November due to a combination of factors. The city’s 30 million residents face increased pollution when festival fireworks coincide with dropping temperatures and low wind speeds that trap pollutants. Additionally, smoke from crop-residue fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana drifts into the capital as farmers burn rice stalks to prepare for the next planting season.
The scale of the issue is compounded by multiple pollution sources. In addition to fireworks, the air quality is impacted by industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, construction dust, and agricultural burning from two neighboring states. While the Supreme Court attempted to limit the impact by mandating "green firecrackers" for three-hour periods, the high AQI readings of 350+ demonstrate that these measures did not prevent hazardous conditions.
The government has implemented temporary measures, including limits on construction activity and restrictions on diesel generators. However, Shweta Narayan of the Global Climate and Health Alliance characterized these responses as "knee-jerk" and "temporary," arguing that they only occur under pressure. Long-term solutions, such as stricter vehicle emission controls and a transition to cleaner energy, remain under discussion. Local authorities have not yet announced new deadlines or additional emergency measures following the Monday smog.