New Delhi: Across the north of India, the festive season has erupted in colour and in pollutants. In Delhi-NCR, the typical surge from firecrackers, heavy traffic and construction dust has been compounded by seasonal factors such as stubble-burning and low wind speeds. These activities are pushing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants into “very unhealthy” territory. Likewise in Lucknow and Ahmedabad, what should be a time of celebration has instead brought a spike in air-quality woes.
With skies hazy, the sun blurred through the smog, the day’s heat (~29 °C) feels heavier and more oppressive. The haze doesn’t just block light, it traps heat, discourages dispersion of pollutants, and keeps the city under a grim atmospheric blanket.
Will Delhi’s Rain Gamble Pay Off?
Amid the gloom, Delhi authorities have rolled out an unconventional weapon: cloud-seeding. The idea is to induce rain artificially, wash away pollutants, improve visibility and air quality. Unfortunately, the technique requires the right meteorological conditions, moisture-laden clouds, adequate wind patterns, and timing all aligned. So far, while the effort is under way, there’s no assurance that measurable rainfall will arrive soon or that the air will clear quickly.
Until real rain hits, Delhi remains on standby: the forecast remains dry for much of the day, the haze thick, the air heavy. The overnight low of 21 °C promises little in the way of relief, cooler nights help pollutant settling, not dispersal.
Regional Snapshot: Lucknow & Ahmedabad
In Lucknow, the festive build-up has sent air quality into the “severe” and even “very unhealthy” zone as smog layers descend. With fewer winds and cooler nights ahead, the pollutants may linger. In Ahmedabad, while less in the headlines, the combination of urban emissions, dust and regional transport of smoke is already keeping visibility low and the air compromised. From Delhi through Uttar Pradesh into Gujarat, the corridor is under pressure.
What It Means for You?
For residents of Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and especially those with respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly and children, today is not a day to be outdoors for long. With the high near 29 °C, the sun may not feel strong but the air does. Mask up (N95 or equivalent), limit outdoor exercise, keep an eye on indoor air filters if you’re using one, and avoid heavy exertion outside.
The key takeaway: while the festive mood may continue unabated, the air is paying a price. Only substantial rainfall, improved ventilation and disciplined emission control will bring genuine relief. For now, the hazy sun, the stuck high of 29 °C and the unrelenting smog make for an atmospheric challenge across the region.