Delhi News: Post-Diwali Smog Chokes Capital as AQI Crosses 350, Air Turns ‘Severe’

Delhi is once again gasping for breath as post-Diwali pollution pushes the city’s air quality into the ‘severe’ category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of Delhi NCR has surged past 300, with the Anand Vihar area recording alarming levels around 350–360. The toxic haze blanketing the capital has made breathing increasingly difficult, especially for the elderly, children, and patients suffering from asthma or respiratory illnesses.Experts attribute the sharp spike to Diwali fireworks, vehicular emissions, and stubble burning in neighboring states. Thick smog continues to linger over the city, reducing visibility and triggering health concerns across residential and commercial zones. Residents are reporting irritation in the eyes, coughing, and breathlessness as pollution levels worsen by the hour.Environmentalists have urged the Delhi government to implement emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including restrictions on construction, vehicular movement, and industrial activity. Despite annual warnings, Delhi’s pollution crisis continues to spiral each winter, raising urgent questions about enforcement and accountability. The focus now shifts to what immediate steps authorities will take to clear the toxic air and protect public health.