crown

Subscribe Now

FOLLOW US

Sign in

Photos: Ahead of Diwali, Delhi’s fight against pollution has already began

Pollution shot up on Wednesday in Delhi, shrouding the national capital in a haze, a dip in temperature, low wind speed, and a cloudy sky that combined to trap toxic pollutants in the air. New Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded 328 on Wednesday, and on Thursday it worsened marginally to 331 – the highest so far this season due to various reasons including a dip in temperature and low wind speed. Ahead of Diwali, experts have also warned that the city air quality could get worse over the next few days.

Updated on: Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM IST

Share via

Copy link

1/9

A commuter covers her face with a mask to protect against pollution at Laxmi Nagar in New Delhi. According to experts from various government and private pollution monitoring agencies, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 328 on Wednesday, and on Thursday it worsened marginally to 331 – the highest so far this season. On a scale of 0-500, an AQI value between 301 and 400 indicates ‘very poor’ air quality. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

A commuter covers her face with a mask to protect against pollution at Laxmi Nagar in New Delhi. According to experts from various government and private pollution monitoring agencies, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 328 on Wednesday, and on Thursday it worsened marginally to 331 – the highest so far this season. On a scale of 0-500, an AQI value between 301 and 400 indicates ‘very poor’ air quality. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

2/9

Firefighters douse a fire at Bhalswa landfill which aggravated the city’s pollution, on October 23, 2018. The Supreme Court-appointed body Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) warned on Thursday that air pollution in the capital is likely to peak from November 1 as toxic fumes from stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana could gush in because of a change in wind direction. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

Firefighters douse a fire at Bhalswa landfill which aggravated the city’s pollution, on October 23, 2018. The Supreme Court-appointed body Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) warned on Thursday that air pollution in the capital is likely to peak from November 1 as toxic fumes from stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana could gush in because of a change in wind direction. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

3/9

Delhi-Meerut Expressway (NH24) seen engulfed with plumes of smoke near Commonwealth games village, due to burning of dry leaves and grass near the river Yamuna in New Delhi on October 15, 2018. The reasons for the upswing in pollution are believed to be unfavorable weather conditions, including a dip in temperature, low wind speed, and a cloudy sky that combined to trap toxic pollutants in the air. (Mohd Zakir / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

Delhi-Meerut Expressway (NH24) seen engulfed with plumes of smoke near Commonwealth games village, due to burning of dry leaves and grass near the river Yamuna in New Delhi on October 15, 2018. The reasons for the upswing in pollution are believed to be unfavorable weather conditions, including a dip in temperature, low wind speed, and a cloudy sky that combined to trap toxic pollutants in the air. (Mohd Zakir / HT Photo)

4/9

NDMC worker spray water to clean dust gathered on trees at Mansingh Road as pollution mounts in the national capital on October 17, 2018. The Supreme Court on Tuesday also set a two-hour window for the use of low-emission firecrackers on Diwali night but didn’t impose any ban on the sale of firecrackers in the National Capital Region. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

NDMC worker spray water to clean dust gathered on trees at Mansingh Road as pollution mounts in the national capital on October 17, 2018. The Supreme Court on Tuesday also set a two-hour window for the use of low-emission firecrackers on Diwali night but didn’t impose any ban on the sale of firecrackers in the National Capital Region. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

5/9

Thick smog was observed after Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations, at Qudsia Ghat, ISBT in New Delhi on October 19, 2018. Delhi witnessed a weeklong spell of smog in November 2017, when the AQI had shot up to 486, prompting chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to describe Delhi as a “gas chamber”, declare a public health emergency, and order that schools be shut. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

Thick smog was observed after Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations, at Qudsia Ghat, ISBT in New Delhi on October 19, 2018. Delhi witnessed a weeklong spell of smog in November 2017, when the AQI had shot up to 486, prompting chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to describe Delhi as a “gas chamber”, declare a public health emergency, and order that schools be shut. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

6/9

Heavy Smog seen near Yamuna River Belt Area in New Delhi on October 24, 2018. Diesel generators have been banned in Delhi till March 2019 and the Badarpur thermal power has also been shut down as a preventive measure. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

Heavy Smog seen near Yamuna River Belt Area in New Delhi on October 24, 2018. Diesel generators have been banned in Delhi till March 2019 and the Badarpur thermal power has also been shut down as a preventive measure. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

7/9

A runner wears a mask during the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon at Rajpath in New Delhi. On Thursday, Delhi also witnessed its coldest day of the season so far, when the minimum temperature dropped to 15 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

A runner wears a mask during the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon at Rajpath in New Delhi. On Thursday, Delhi also witnessed its coldest day of the season so far, when the minimum temperature dropped to 15 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

8/9

Smog is seen in the air as the sun sets in New Delhi on October 22, 2018. According to a report by Bloomberg, India has 15 of the world’s most polluted cities including Agra, Srinagar, Varanasi and Patiala and New Delhi being on the top of the list with PM 10. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

Smog is seen in the air as the sun sets in New Delhi on October 22, 2018. According to a report by Bloomberg, India has 15 of the world’s most polluted cities including Agra, Srinagar, Varanasi and Patiala and New Delhi being on the top of the list with PM 10. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

9/9

A view near Geeta colony, engulfed in smog in New Delhi on October 25, 2018. The Central Pollution Control Board’s task force is expected to hold a meeting today to take stock of the worsening situation and the expected spike from November 1 onwards. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 26, 2018 12:53 PM

A view near Geeta colony, engulfed in smog in New Delhi on October 25, 2018. The Central Pollution Control Board’s task force is expected to hold a meeting today to take stock of the worsening situation and the expected spike from November 1 onwards. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

Related Photos

Home/Photos/News/Photos: Ahead Of Diwali, Delhi’s Fight Against Pollution Has Already Began

© 2026 HindustanTimes