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New Delhi: Delhi experienced a severe drop in air quality after Diwali, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching a five-year high in 2025, according to an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

The average PM2.5 concentration reached 488 micrograms per cubic metre in the 24 hours after Diwali. This level is three times the concentration recorded before the festival, as per reports.

Causes of the Significant Surge

The dramatic increase in pollution was primarily attributed to the following factors:

Local Emissions: The bursting of firecrackers was a major and immediate source of pollution.

Stagnant Winds: A low wind speed of less than one metre per second prevented the dispersion of pollutants, allowing them to

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