Just before the festival of lights: New Delhi becomes the most polluted city in the world

New Delhi was ranked as the most polluted city in the world a day before Diwali, with an air quality index of 581. Authorities moved students to remote learning and urged residents to avoid prolonged outdoor stays, amid concerns that pollution will worsen during celebrations involving fireworks.

A day before Diwali celebrations, New Delhi was ranked as the world's most polluted major city, with an air quality index of 581 according to IQAir. Authorities ordered remote learning in schools and called on residents to stay indoors. The celebrations, which include traditional fireworks, are expected to worsen the pollution. The article notes that air pollution in northern India worsens every winter due to smoke from vehicles, factories, and burning of agricultural residues, and that enforcement of fireworks restrictions has been unsuccessful in previous years.