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On Tuesday morning residents of the planet's dirtiest urban center were faced with exposed to extremely polluted air that fell into the "severe" level.

Extremely High Air Quality Measurements

Multiple areas of Delhi showed an pollution measurement exceeding 500, which translates to ten times the recommended level set by the World Health Organization.

Particular areas, readings of toxic particulate matter soared to of eighteen hundred, amounting to fifteen to twenty times above acceptable limits.

Pyrotechnics Prohibition and Current Developments

For the past four years, authorities had implemented a comprehensive restriction on the distribution and bursting of fireworks during celebrations due to their major role to the dangerous pollution that engulfs the capital as the cold season sets in.

Yet earlier this year, the newly elected regional administration appealed to the highest court to propose a modification of the restrictions.

Officials advocated for allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – historically criticized by environmentalists as being only roughly 30 percent lower impact – as a compromise between "tradition and environment".

Legal Ruling and Enforcement

Despite concerns of medical and ecological activists, judicial authorities agreed to the appeal, mandating that eco-friendly pyrotechnics could be used during designated hours throughout the festival.

Throughout the festival evening, there was extensive flouting of the regulated periods across the city, with minimal monitoring regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the supposedly greener version.

Numerous air quality sensors throughout the capital showed pollution peaking around the night hours to extremely hazardous readings seen during Diwali in at least three years.

Regional Implications

Extensive ignition of fireworks during Diwali also sparked a blame game with bordering Pakistan, with officials in Pakistani Punjab province pointing to worsening air quality in the city of Lahore on hazardous particles originating in neighboring India following the festivities.

Long-Standing Pollution Issue

The dangerously high readings of pollution in the capital have remained as a significant issue for over a decade and a half, with the condition showing no improvement.

Around the festival period, the levels of dangerous particles in the environment has been found to spike to seventy percent above the most severe levels ever measured in China's capital, which was formerly considered as the planet's dirtiest city.

Multiple Pollution Contributors

The situation in Delhi is caused by a convergence of multiple factors including heavy vehicle emissions, airborne particles, construction activities, garbage fires and pollutants from crop residue ignition in nearby states of farming communities.

In these regions, farmers routinely ignite agricultural waste to prepare for next season, producing dangerous pollution that becomes contained over the capital as winter air arrives.

Public Health and Financial Consequences

Public health and economic impact on the approximately 33 million residents residing in the capital region is substantial, according to various research.

The contaminated air leads to elevated rates of nervous system, heart and circulatory and lung disorders, and can potentially cause cancer.

Air quality crisis is estimated to be causing approximately 10k premature mortalities annually in Delhi.