Delhi’s air quality spikes to over 50 times WHO safe limit as fireworks persist

Delhi’s air quality on Deepavali night 2026 surged to more than 50 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit, with PM2.5 readings in several districts far exceeding permissible levels as residents continued to set off fireworks past the Supreme Court’s 10 p.m. cutoff.

How high were pollutant levels in the worst‑affected areas?

The Hindu reported that at 11 p.m. on November 8, 2026, PM2.5 measured 760.99 µg per cubic metre in Akshardham—about 50.73 times the WHO 24‑hour limit of 15 µg/m³. In Anand Vihar the concentration reached 767 µg/m³, roughly 51.13 times the limit, while Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium recorded 702 µg/m³, about 46.8 times the WHO standard.

What does the overall air‑quality rating indicate?

According to The Hindu, the city’s overall air quality remained in the “very poor” category, with many neighborhoods classified under the “severe” tier.

Why does pollution spike each winter in Delhi?

The Hindu explained that lower wind speeds, falling temperatures, stubble burning in October‑November, firecracker use during festivals, vehicle emissions and dust combine to drive the seasonal surge in air pollution across Delhi‑NCR and the wider Indo‑Gangetic Plains.