On Friday morning, November 1, New Delhi was named the world’s most polluted city, just a few days after Diwali festivities elevated air quality to dangerous levels, according to Swiss company IQAir.
Even though fireworks were prohibited, many city residents celebrated with fireworks, contributing to the city’s thick smog.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s National Air Quality Index (AQI), the air quality index reached 388 at Anand Vihar station at 10 a.m. This is ordered as “extremely poor”, raising wellbeing worries for occupants.
According to IQAir, this has elevated Delhi to the top of the global real-time pollution rankings.
Residents of Delhi defy the ban on fireworks despite
The Delhi government’s recent efforts to reduce pollution by prohibiting fireworks during Diwali, compliance was largely ignored.
The AQI remained above 350 in most of Delhi, with Aya Nagar at 352, Jahangirpuri at 390, and Dwarka at 376—all of which were categorized as “very poor” and posed serious health risks. Beyond Delhi, cities like Chennai and Mumbai also experienced smog and poor air quality as a result of the pollution problem. The levels of pollution caused by Diwali celebrations have raised the concerns of those living in these areas.
The smog was exacerbated by the crackers’ pollution and seasonal crop burning from nearby states, which occurs frequently in the early winter.
Air that is cold and heavy holds pollutants from a variety of sources, worsening air quality.
The following are the top ten cities with the world’s most polluted air, according to the IQAir world major city quality ranking:
1. Delhi, India
2. Lahore, Pakistan
3. Beijing, China
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh
5. Wuhan, China
6. Mumbai, India
7. Kathmandu, Nepal
8. Baghdad, Iraq
9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
10. Karachi, Pakistan
