New Delhi/Lahore( The COW News Digital)India’s capital, New Delhi, has once again been ranked the most polluted city in the world, with air quality levels reaching hazardous limits following massive fireworks displays during the Diwali festival. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 772, placing it in the “severe” category — a level considered extremely dangerous to human health.
According to environmental monitoring agencies, the combination of firecracker emissions, stagnant winds, and seasonal crop burning has turned Delhi’s air into a toxic haze. Residents reported difficulty breathing, eye irritation, and poor visibility across major parts of the city. Authorities have urged citizens to remain indoors, limit outdoor activities, and wear protective masks when necessary.
The impact of Delhi’s pollution has not been confined within India’s borders. The smog and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have begun drifting westward, severely affecting Lahore and other eastern cities in Pakistan. Lahore was ranked second on the global pollution index on Tuesday morning, with its AQI recorded at 245, classified as “very unhealthy.”
Meteorological experts warned that winds blowing at 5 km/h from Dharamshala toward Gujranwala, Lahore, and Faisalabad will likely increase smog density in Punjab throughout the day. The Provincial Environmental Protection Department has activated anti-smog units and deployed anti-smog guns in key urban hotspots to mitigate pollution levels.
Officials have also urged residents to wear masks, avoid unnecessary travel, and refrain from outdoor exercise during early mornings and evenings when pollution peaks. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to such conditions can trigger respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung disease.
According to Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), AQI readings are classified as follows:
- 0–100: Good or safe air quality
- 101–200: Moderately polluted but tolerable
- 201–300: Unhealthy air, posing health risks
- 301–500: Very unhealthy or hazardous
- Above 500: Extremely dangerous, even for healthy individuals
With both Delhi and Lahore choking under thick layers of smog, environmentalists are calling for cross-border collaboration between India and Pakistan to address seasonal pollution — a recurring environmental crisis fueled by industrial emissions, agricultural burning, and festive fireworks.
