After a night of Diwali celebrations, Delhi woke up to a familiar sight -- a blanket of toxic smog -- as an acrid smell of burnt firecrackers lingered in the air.
Rampant firecracker burning has resulted in the Indian capital's air quality shooting up to 42 times above safe limits in the most polluted parts of the city on the night of Diwali. The government-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded PM 2.5 levels of 283, which is 11 times higher than the World Health Organisation limit.
There was also low visibility across the city on Sunday night and Monday morning, with roads and buildings being shrouded in smoke. It almost looked like winter had arrived early.
On the right hand side is a photo of the India Gate on a regular day, while on the left is a photo of the monument, published by the Associated Press today, the morning after Diwali.
Many Delhi residents also shared pictures of smog during their morning commute.
Zero visibility on DND flyway. Drive safely. #delhi #noida #delhitraffic pic.twitter.com/aGYmkBbZoI
— Surendran B (@surendranb) October 31, 2016
#Diwali effect. Zero visibility at Mayur Vihar phase 1 pic.twitter.com/9UlzRtm6Dj
— Ashutosh Sapru (@SapruAshutosh) October 31, 2016
Zero visibility at Sarai Kale Khan #Delhi #smog pic.twitter.com/jP9gWOSur0
— Tarun Kumar (@TK_Scribbler) October 31, 2016
This is noida at 6.30 am!! #airpollution #smog pic.twitter.com/tBhcxkcK9y
— nandita kodesia (@nandita_zee) October 31, 2016
On any other day, the trees & the distant building are visible
— Shatarupa Dhar (@SassyShaina_1) October 31, 2016
Post-Diwali, smog has enveloped everything#delhi #pollution #smog #smokyair pic.twitter.com/y4DeoCLlEe
guess #delhi didn't do too well despite pledges & health warning! Morning after air looks bad, can't go for walk :( pic.twitter.com/QunT360lfb
— Shivnath Thukral (@shivithukral) October 31, 2016
Zero visibility at 6 in the morning. Can't breathe. Good job Delhi. Now suffocate. #Diwali #Smog #pollution #NewDelhi pic.twitter.com/HezazpQR6q
— Kaustav Bhattacharya (@Kaustav_89) October 31, 2016