As Delhi’s air quality worsens each winter, many families are leaving the city for cleaner air. Former news anchor Tracy Shilshi moved to Goa in 2018 after her family suffered frequent respiratory issues. Public health expert Malini Aisola shifted to Chennai to protect her newborn from pollution. Doctors, however, warn that migration is not a long-term solution. Pulmonologist Dr. Gopi Chand Khilnani said people can stay safe with precautions, while experts like Dr. Randeep Guleria call air pollution a “silent pandemic.” Delhi’s toxic air remains a growing health crisis, demanding urgent government action.

Delhi woke to thick smog on November 5, recording "poor" air quality, while NCR cities Noida and Ghaziabad slipped into "very poor" zones. CPCB data showed most Delhi stations in "poor" category, except Shadipur at "very poor" (313 AQI). Anand Vihar recorded 284, Bawana 297, and ITO 278. Weather forecasts predict maximum 32°C, minimum 17°C temperatures with 59-94% humidity. IMD issued fog warnings for November 6-7. The Supreme Court urged authorities to take proactive anti-pollution measures, directing CAQM to submit actionable plans with clear data, emphasizing on-ground action beyond advisories. Rain alerts issued for Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Rayalaseema regions. (PC: Business Standard & HT)

Haryana’s Dharuhera was India’s most polluted city in October, while Delhi ranked sixth, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). All ten of the most polluted cities were in the Delhi-NCR region, with Dharuhera recording a PM2.5 level of 123 µg/m³ and Delhi 107 µg/m³. The report said stubble burning caused less than 6% of the pollution, pointing to year-round sources. In contrast, Shillong, Gangtok, and Mysuru were among the cleanest cities. CREA said India’s pollution problem is constant and that reactive, seasonal policies fail to address long-term emission sources. (PC: AFP)

At least three people have died and nearly 400,000 have fled their homes as Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the Philippines. The storm flooded large parts of Cebu, sweeping away cars and shipping containers. Many residents sheltered on rooftops as water levels rose. A military helicopter helping rescue efforts crashed in Mindanao, with no word yet on survivors. Governor Pamela Baricuatro called the flooding “unprecedented.” Winds of over 80 mph have caused severe damage, though the typhoon is now weakening. The storm comes weeks after two deadly typhoons and heavy monsoon rains that already left much of the country struggling to recover. (PC: BBC)

At least 20 people were killed and more than 500 injured after a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan early Monday. The quake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif at a depth of 28 km, causing buildings to collapse and power outages across several regions, including Kabul. Rescue teams are searching through debris as officials warn the death toll may rise. The Taliban government said most injuries occurred as people fled buildings in panic. The quake also damaged electricity lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Afghanistan often faces deadly earthquakes due to its location on active fault lines.

As Delhi’s air quality crossed 400 on the Air Quality Index, several fitness events, including marathons and cyclothons, were held across the city on Sunday. The Indian Air Force organised a marathon from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, joined by actors like Huma Qureshi and Shefali Shah. Social media users criticised the events, calling them risky and irresponsible amid severe pollution. Experts warned that running in such conditions could cause breathing problems and fever. Despite criticism, many still participated. Delhi recorded ‘severe’ air quality at several monitoring stations, with Wazirpur reporting the highest AQI of 439. Pollution levels may remain high till November 4. (PC: ANI)

Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, devastated Black River, Jamaica, leaving residents desperate and isolated three days after impact. The death toll reached 19 in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti. With no electricity, running water, or cell service, residents scavenge debris for food and loot damaged supermarkets and pharmacies for survival supplies. No aid trucks have reached the coastal town, 150km west of Kingston. Local officials estimate 90% of houses destroyed, including the hospital, police station, and fire station. Mayor Richard Solomon acknowledged residents' desperation while describing a "delicate balance" in response. Aid from Kingston faces impassable roads flooded and blocked with debris. Military helicopters arrived Friday, bringing armed officials to restore order.

Torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods and landslides across central Vietnam, including Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue provinces, leaving at least 13 people dead and 11 missing. More than 26,000 residents have been evacuated as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated communities. Around 120,000 homes are submerged, and major transport routes, including the North–South railway, have been shut down. The region recorded a staggering 1,085 mm of rainfall within 24 hours — the highest ever in Vietnam — raising urgent concerns about the escalating impact of extreme weather and climate change in Southeast Asia. (PC: AP)

Hurricane Melissa's devastating Caribbean rampage killed at least 32 people across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba before weakening from Category 5 to Category 1. The strongest storm in Caribbean modern history sustained peak winds of 298 km/h exceeding Hurricane Katrina's force. Jamaica's St Elizabeth parish suffered worst, submerged in knee-deep mud with severed communications and washed-out bridges isolating Black River. Cuba's Santiago de Cuba faced considerable damage as residents machete-cleared debris-buried streets. Haiti reported 23 deaths, including 10 children, from flooding despite avoiding direct impact. Nearly 1,500 Bahamians evacuated as Melissa accelerated toward Bermuda Thursday. Power lines and mobile networks collapsed across southwestern Jamaica, leaving families days without contact. Amid devastation, a baby was safely delivered under emergency conditions.

Hurricane Melissa's death toll reached at least 32 across the Caribbean, with devastating impacts in Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Haiti reported 28 deaths, including 25 in Petit-Goâve after swollen rivers burst banks. Jamaica confirmed four deaths in St. Elizabeth Parish, with three additional fatalities during storm preparations. The Dominican Republic reported one death. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness described damage as "unprecedented," noting 80-90% of roofs between Treasure Beach and Black River were destroyed. Essential infrastructure including hospitals, courthouses, and historic buildings were wiped out. Cuba faced "significant damage" as Category 3 landfall cut off 140,000 people. The storm weakened to Category 1 but continues producing dangerous flooding and winds across the Bahamas.