Overview
- CPCB said 34 of 38 stations were in the red zone on Monday night, with Narela at AQI 551 and Ashok Vihar 493, while the Delhi average was reported as high as 531.
- Early Tuesday readings still showed very poor to severe air across Delhi–NCR, with Ghaziabad at 402 and Noida at 369 and visibility reduced in a lingering smog.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management kept GRAP Stage II in force and officials urged residents to wear masks and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.
- Reports attribute the spike to Diwali fireworks compounded by crop-residue burning and urban traffic emissions under stagnant weather that trapped pollutants near the surface.
- The surge renewed questions over the effectiveness of permitted “green crackers,” as residents posted complaints of burning eyes and breathing difficulty on social media.