Toxic smog blankets New Delhi as Diwali firecracker smoke worsens air quality

New Delhi is experiencing severe air pollution as toxic smog blankets the city following the Diwali festival. Smoke from firecrackers has pushed the air quality index into the "severe" category, with particulate matter levels reaching seven times the World Health Organization's safety limit. Despite a ban on traditional firecrackers since 2017, many residents continue to use them. New Delhi, with over 33 million people, is one of the world's most polluted cities, especially during winter when crop burning and industrial emissions worsen air quality. Health experts warn that the polluted air can lead to serious lung problems. Studies indicate that air pollution contributes to over a million deaths in India each year.