Living in the grey and yellow: Delhi’s air pollution in pictures

A thick, oppressive smog has descended over Delhi, cloaking the city in a heavy, grey haze that obscures buildings and landmarks, reducing visibility across major roads and casting a dim, muted glow over the skyline. The toxic air has choked the bustling capital, where mornings now begin with a surreal, almost ghostly quiet as muffled sounds echo through the fog, and headlights struggle to pierce through the dense air.

Commuters drive amid dense smog in New Delhi on November 13. (AFP photo)

The pollution level entered the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) spiking to 429—a sharp rise from Tuesday’s 24-hour average of 334.
This marked shift, visible in every corner of the city, has forced residents to grapple with a stifling, nearly unbreathable atmosphere filled with hazardous particulate matter.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that 32 of Delhi’s 36 monitoring stations indicated ‘severe’ air quality, painting a grim picture for residents facing a toxic atmosphere that threatens public health. The air is filled with particulate matter, notably PM10—tiny particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and cause respiratory problems. These particles, emitted from dust, vehicle exhaust, and industrial sources, remain suspended in the still, cold air, forming a dense, lingering fog.

Commuters walk across a foot bridge engulfed in smog. (AFP photo)

Adding to the crisis, Delhi’s air quality is exacerbated by PM2.5—particles even finer than PM10 that can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and bloodstream. Levels of PM2.5, which include pollutants from stubble burning and urban emissions, were recorded at over 120 times the World Health Organization’s recommended limits on Wednesday morning, according to IQAir.
With long-term exposure, such pollution elevates risks of respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, and cancer, creating a pervasive health hazard for millions.

Commuters use face masks as pollution worsens in Delhi. (PTI photo)

The seasonal drop in temperature, coupled with calm winds and high humidity, has trapped pollutants close to the ground, creating an impenetrable smog that blurs the horizon. On Wednesday, the temperature fell to 17 degrees Celsius, accentuating the dense morning and evening haze that hangs in the air, while streets remained hushed under the weight of pollution.

Vehicles ply on the road amid fog near Akshardham, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)

Delhi’s winter smog, a toxic mix of smoke, dust, and emissions, settles over the city annually, driven by cold temperatures, stagnant air, and farm fires in neighbouring regions. With visibility reduced to as little as 50 meters in some areas, the India Meteorological Department warns that dense fog will likely persist for several days across northwest India.
As residents of Delhi face another winter in the grip of this hazardous smog, the pressing need for long-term solutions and coordinated action becomes ever more urgent.