The capital of India, enveloped in a cloud of toxic gases. Pollution levels in New Delhi have reached alarming levels

The capital of India, New Delhi, was enveloped in a cloud of toxic gases on Monday, and the level of pollution, which has been steadily increasing over the years, exceeded more than 16 times the maximum limit allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

With a population of more than 30 million, New Delhi (and its suburbs) is consistently among the world's most polluted capitals, France Presse and Agerpres note.

Every winter, colder temperatures and light winds keep a thick, pungent-smelling toxic cloud over the metropolis, generated by factories, road traffic and the burning of agricultural residues.

The level of air pollution is compounded by the growing number of fireworks displays on Monday and Tuesday during the Diwali festival, a major event in Hindu culture that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness.

Last month, the Supreme Court relaxed the “total ban” on the use of fireworks and authorized the use of so-called “green fireworks”, considered less polluting and supposed to emit fewer particles and toxic gases.

However, the restrictions imposed in previous years were largely ignored by the population.

On Monday, the concentration of PM2.5 microparticles – the most dangerous because they enter the blood – was 248 micrograms per cubic meter in certain areas of the city, according to Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir.

The government body responsible for combating pollution in New Delhi has warned that the situation will worsen in the coming days.

It said it had taken steps to reduce pollution, among other things, asking authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to limit the use of diesel generators.

For their part, the capital's authorities have announced that they will carry out, for the first time, this month a cloud seeding with the help of airplanes, to cause rain and disperse the toxic fog above the capital.

New Delhi's air pollution causes thousands of premature deaths each year from cancers, heart disease and respiratory conditions.

A study published in the scientific journal The Lancet attributed 1.67 million deaths in India during 2019 to air pollution.

🇮🇳 In India, New Delhi is suffocating, with a level of pollution 16 times higher than the maximum level tolerated by the World Health Organization. Et les feux d'artifices prévus pour les célébrations de Diwali ne treudre pas arranger la qualité de l'air. pic.twitter.com/kdsR51aBfh

— TV5MONDE Info (@TV5MONDEINFO) October 20, 2025