The Indian capital, New Delhi, has been enveloped in dense smog following Diwali celebrations, which has significantly worsened the city's already precarious air quality. The festival of lights, celebrated across India on Sunday, saw an increase in firecracker usage despite restrictions, leading to the release of harmful smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere. On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 350 in various parts of the capital, categorized as "severe" by WHO standards, posing substantial health risks to the city's 30 million inhabitants. In an attempt to mitigate Diwali-related pollution, India's Supreme Court had previously imposed restrictions, permitting only eco-friendly firecrackers during three-hour windows on Saturday and Sunday. However, these approved crackers still emit pollutants, contributing to the ongoing crisis. The air in New Delhi, prior to Diwali, had already surged beyond WHO's recommended daily limit by more than 30 times, according to air monitor data from earlier this week. Persistently ranked among the world's most polluted capital cities, New Delhi faces exacerbated pollution during winter due to cooler temperatures, low wind speeds, and stagnant atmospheric conditions that hinder the dispersion of pollutants. Vehicles account for 23% of New Delhi's winter pollution, while biomass burning, including farm stubble fires, contributes an additional 20%. The result is a persistent haze that can persist over the capital and surrounding areas for several days.