Air pollution exceeds 50 times WHO limit in parts of Delhi as people defy Deepavali firecracker ban

People burst crackers on Diwali in New Delhi on November 8, 2026. | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

As Delhiites burst firecrackers well after the Supreme Court-fixed Deepavali night of 10 pm, air pollution in some parts of the city exceeded more than 50 times World Health Organization (WHO) limits, official data showed.

The PM2.5 (major pollutant) level in Akshardham was 760.99 micrograms per cubic meter at 11 pm on Sunday, November 8, 2026, according to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data. This is about 50.73 times the WHO permissible limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter for 24 hours.

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PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5) are fine inhalable particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream and lead to a number of respiratory and other illnesses.

The PM2.5 level in Anand Vihar was 767 micrograms per cubic meter at 11 pm on Sunday (November 8, 2026), according to DPCC data — that’s about 51.13 times the WHO permissible limit.

The PM2.5 level at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was 702 micrograms per cubic meter, about 46.8 times the WHO’s permissible limit, according to DPCC data.

Also read | Supreme Court calls Deepavali fireworks a ‘religious practice’, allows green crackers for two days in Delhi-NCR

Delhi’s overall air quality continued to be in the “very poor” category, while many parts of the city continued to languish under “severe” air quality.

Every winter, air pollution rises in Delhi-NCR and many parts of the greater Indo-Gangetic plains, mainly due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speed and drop in temperature. Added to the existing pollution from vehicles and dust is also pollution from stubble burning during October and November and bursting of firecrackers during the festive season, which worsens air quality.

Published – 09 Nov 2026 01:01 IST