Two more Indian cities after New Delhi were this morning listed among the world’s 10 worst air-polluting cities, a day after fireworks were lit for Diwali – the annual Hindu festival of lights.

The capital New Delhi, as usual, it is at the top. The ambient air quality index (AQI) was set at 420, which places the city in the “dangerous”, according to the Swiss group IQAir.

When the AQI index is at the level of 400-500 it means that the infection affects healthy people and is dangerous for those with underlying diseases, while the level of 150-200 creates discomfort for those suffering from asthma, pulmonary and cardiac problems. A level of 0-50 is considered good.

Already last night, New Delhi began to be engulfed in heavy smog, with the AQI index reaching the alarming levels of 680 shortly after midnight.

The list of the 10 most polluted cities also includes the financial capital Mumbai in sixth place with AQI 157 and h Calcutta in eastern India, ranked seventh with an AQI of 154.

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Every year the authorities impose bans on fireworks in the capital, but these bans are rarely respected. MP Saket Gohale posted a letter on the X platform (formerly Twitter) in which he asked the local police for information on the number of incidents of fireworks and the actions taken by the authorities against the offenders.
Air quality in India worsens every year in the run-up to winter, when cold air masses trap pollutants from vehicles, industries, construction sites and the burning of agricultural crop residues.
Authorities in New Delhi postponed an earlier decision to restrict vehicle use after a brief spell of rain on Friday brought a brief respite from a week of toxic air.
The local government said it plans to maintain a ban on construction work and keep schools closed to protect citizens.