The capital of India, New Delhi, was covered on Tuesday by a dense layer of toxic pollution after an intense night of fireworks and firecrackers during the Diwali festival.

In New Delhi, the level of PM2.5 microparticles, the most dangerous for health, reached 846 micrograms per cubic meter, 56 times above the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the company IQAir. Although the Supreme Court has relaxed the bans on fireworks, previous restrictions have largely been ignored.

Specific winter atmospheric phenomena trap cold air, preventing the dispersion of pollution from traffic, industry, and agricultural burning. The government has implemented measures to combat pollution, including ensuring a constant supply of electricity and planning to stimulate rain through 'cloud seeding'.