Delhi has been ranked the world’s most polluted city by Swiss air quality firm IQAir, recording an AQI of 350 on October 21, 2025. Mumbai and Kolkata also made the top 10, at 5th and 8th respectively. Lahore and Karachi from Pakistan ranked 2nd and 4th. The spike follows Diwali celebrations, where firecracker use exceeded Supreme Court’s permitted hours. Several Delhi areas, including Bawana and Jahangirpuri, recorded AQI levels above 401, classified as ‘severe’. The CPCB defines AQI above 300 as ‘very poor’ and above 400 as ‘severe’. The list also includes cities from Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Australia, and Indonesia, highlighting a global air quality crisis.

Delhi-NCR's air quality plummeted into the 'red zone' following Diwali celebrations with fireworks on Monday night, turning the air toxic with thick haze. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, 36 out of 38 monitoring stations recorded 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality. Ghaziabad recorded the highest pollution at 329 AQI, while Gurugram hit 340 and Rohtak 345. Despite Supreme Court restrictions allowing green firecrackers only between 8-10 pm, celebrations continued past the deadline. Delhi's overall AQI reached 345, with four stations including Dwarka, Ashok Vihar, Wazirpur, and Anand Vihar reporting 'severe' levels above 400. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage II GRAP measures across Delhi-NCR.

Delhi’s air quality worsened sharply on Diwali, with 34 of 38 monitoring stations recording pollution levels in the ‘red zone’. The city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 345, up from 326 a day earlier, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Wazirpur recorded the worst AQI at 423, followed by Dwarka and Anand Vihar. Officials warned that pollution may rise further in the coming days. The Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR. The Supreme Court had earlier allowed limited use of green firecrackers for Diwali celebrations. (PC: X)

Chennai experienced heavy rain on Monday as Diwali celebrations began. Areas including Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, and ECR Neelankarai reported waterlogging, causing inconvenience to residents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in isolated places across the state. Coastal Tamil Nadu is likely to see continued rainfall until October 22. Rainfall between 64.5 mm and 111.5 mm is expected in several districts. IMD also warned of a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal, which may turn into a depression in the coming days. CM MK Stalin reviewed the monsoon preparedness with district officials.

Delhi celebrated Diwali amid toxic air as AQI entered "very poor" category, triggering Stage 2 GRAP curbs Sunday evening. Monday morning saw two stations hit "severe" levels as Wazirpur recorded 419 AQI and Anand Vihar 411, while 27 stations remained "very poor." Sunday night showed 24 of 38 monitoring stations in dangerous zones. CAQM imposed 12 preventive measures including diesel generator restrictions, interstate bus limitations, and increased parking fees. Supreme Court permitted green crackers between specific hours (6-7 am, 8-10 pm) on Diwali eve and festival day. IMD forecast temperatures around 33°C maximum and 21°C minimum with morning mist expected throughout the week.

Delhi's Diwali celebrations turned toxic as AQI hit 335 in "very poor" category by Monday 7:30 am, with most monitoring stations exceeding 300. Anand Vihar recorded the worst at 417 in "severe" category. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage II of Graded Response Action Plan on Sunday after Supreme Court permitted green crackers within restricted timeframes (6-7 am, 8-10 pm). Twenty-four of Delhi's 38 monitoring stations reported "very poor" air quality Sunday night. IMD forecasts further deterioration to "severe" category Tuesday. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged residents to use only green crackers per Supreme Court orders, celebrating traditionally with diyas and rangoli while authorities maintain strict vigilance on dust mitigation measures.

Delhi-NCR woke to toxic air on Diwali morning as air quality plummeted to "very poor" category. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an AQI of 335 at 8 am after overnight firecracker bursting caused severe noise pollution and blanketed the capital in smoke. The Board's forecast warns of further deterioration into "severe" category on Tuesday and Wednesday. Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court permitted sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR with specific conditions, restricting usage to 6-7 pm the day before Diwali and 8-10 pm on festival day itself. Despite regulations, widespread cracker usage severely impacted air quality in the national capital region. (PC: Business Standard & Moneycontrol)

Delhi-NCR has activated GRAP 2 restrictions as air quality worsens ahead of Diwali. The AQI in the capital reached 296 on Sunday evening, nearing the “very poor” category. Stage 2 measures ban coal and firewood use, including tandoors in hotels and eateries, and restrict diesel generators except for essential services. Citizens are advised to use public transport, avoid dust-generating construction, and refrain from burning waste. Authorities will sprinkle water on roads, conduct dust control, and inspect construction sites. The restrictions aim to prevent severe pollution during Diwali, as firecracker use and weather conditions could further worsen air quality. (PC: HT)

A viral 17‑second video posted by IFS officer Parveen Kaswan shows a leopard rummaging through a pile of trash near Mount Abu in Rajasthan, highlighting the distressing impact of human waste on wildlife. The big cat—normally a stealthy apex predator—can be seen digging in plastic and spoiled food, clearly driven into desperation. Kaswan captioned the post, “What a sad visual… See how our trash is reaching the wild! Let’s be better, protect forests, manage waste, and give the wild its home back.” Social‑media users responded with outrage over habitat encroachment and called for stronger anti‑litter enforcement and better forest‑waste management.  

Delhi’s air quality stayed in the ‘poor’ category for the fourth day on Friday as pollution rose ahead of Diwali. The CPCB reported an AQI of 254 at 4 pm. Ghaziabad had the worst air at 306, followed by Noida 278 and Gurugram 266; Faridabad remained moderate at 105. Five Delhi stations, including Anand Vihar (382) and Wazirpur (351), recorded very poor air. Transport emissions and stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh were major causes. The IMD forecasts a misty Saturday with temperatures around 33°C maximum and 19°C minimum. (PC: BBC)