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Ahead of Diwali, Delhi’s air quality has plunged into the “severe” category, with AQI exceeding 400 in many areas. Health experts urge precautions, while the government and Supreme Court restrict fireworks to green crackers during specific time windows.
Toxic Air Grips Delhi on Diwali
New Delhi: Just before Diwali, pollution levels in Delhi and surrounding areas have once again worsened. This time, the situation is so severe that people are unable to breathe freely even during the festival.
Health experts have advised children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory diseases to wear masks and take necessary precautions.
Diwali is on October 20, 2025, but Delhi's air has already become toxic before the festival. Usually, air quality deteriorates significantly on Diwali night due to firecrackers, but this time, the air quality has already reached the "severe" category before Diwali.
Dhanteras 2025 Weather Update: Mostly Clear in North India, Rain Alert in South
For example, the AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 417 at 5 a.m. on Diwali morning, which is extremely worrying. It is estimated that the AQI could exceed 1000 after the firecrackers on Diwali night.
The AQI is above 300 in several areas of Delhi—such as Wazirpur, Vivek Vihar, Dwarka, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, and Ashok Vihar—with air quality in the 'very poor' category.
On the other hand, a new weather system is forming in the Arabian Sea, which is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to coastal states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa, as well as Madhya Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department has issued a rain warning for the next week.
Chilly Night Ahead for Delhi-NCR
Like in previous years, the government has imposed some restrictions on fireworks but has not imposed a complete ban. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has appealed to people to use only green firecrackers, which cause less harm to the environment.
The Supreme Court has also given conditional permission to green firecrackers. On Diwali night, they are allowed to be lit from 8 pm to 10 pm, while on Diwali eve, they are permitted to be used from 6 am to 7 pm.
Diwali 2025: Are green crackers really safe? Create no pollution? Click for details…
Every year, Delhi's air becomes toxic during Diwali, but this time the situation is even more worrying. Both the government and the courts are trying to control it, but real impact will only be made if the public uses firecrackers judiciously and shows responsibility towards the environment.
