New Delhi and the National Capital Region have been blanketed by heavy, hazardous smog for nearly two months, affecting more than 46 million people. Short-term responses — temporary plant closures, traffic curbs, water-spraying and cloud-seeding trials — have provided only brief relief. Residents are staging protests in gas masks and say even air purifiers and face masks offer limited protection, while health officials warn against outdoor activity during pollution spikes.
New Delhi Chokes: Two Months of Winter Smog Turn Daily Life into a Health Crisis
New Delhi and the National Capital Region have been blanketed by heavy, hazardous smog for nearly two months, affecting more than 46 million people. Short-term responses — temporary plant closures, traffic curbs, water-spraying and cloud-seeding trials — have provided only brief relief. Residents are staging protests in gas masks and say even air purifiers and face masks offer limited protection, while health officials warn against outdoor activity during pollution spikes.
04:54 PM, 11/21/2025Environment
For nearly two months, dense, hazardous smog has settled over New Delhi and the wider National Capital Region, home to more than 46 million people. Residents say their basic right to clean air is being denied as a sharp, choking odor and a persistent haze compound a growing public health emergency.
Local officials have tried a series of short-term measures — temporary shutdowns of industrial emitters, vehicle restrictions, road water-spraying and even experimental cloud-seeding — but the relief has been fleeting. Meanwhile, long-term solutions remain elusive, leaving millions exposed to dangerous air.
7 a.m.–9 a.m.
Mornings resemble those in any major city: municipal crews sweep streets, commuters gather at bus stops and a few people exercise in neighborhood parks. Yet public-health authorities now warn that when pollution spikes, the risks of outdoor exertion outweigh the benefits. Many residents skip morning walks entirely and stay indoors to avoid coughing, sore throats and other respiratory symptoms.
11 a.m.–noon
By midmorning, traffic snarls choke the main roads and exhaust fumes thicken the gray blanket over the city. Authorities deploy water cannons in central areas to settle dust, but the effect is temporary and limited in scope.
2 p.m.–3 p.m.
Weekend afternoons have seen residents taking to the streets in protest. Demonstrators often wear gas masks and carry banners reading: "Help us breathe." The demonstrations reflect mounting frustration with slow or ineffective government responses.
5 p.m.–7 p.m.
The evening rush adds another surge of emissions and further reduces visibility, making commutes more hazardous. Shoppers and visitors still move through central Delhi — near landmarks such as India Gate — but the smog frequently obscures even nearby monuments.
9 p.m.–midnight
When the city quiets at night, indoor air is not always safe. Many households run air purifiers, but these devices cannot remove all pollutants, leaving residents struggling to find truly clean air at home.
"The last two months have been miserable," said Renuka Jasra, a 54-year-old teacher who lives on the ground floor in the city's south. "I have breathing difficulties and have had to get medical care."
"Even masks don’t seem to work," added Akshay Savoor, 35. "A burning smell comes through even when masked up."
The pattern of heavy winter smog, driven by local emissions, seasonal weather conditions and pollution from surrounding regions, is forcing residents to weigh daily routines against real health risks. Many call for stronger, sustained action to reduce emissions and protect public health.
Reporting: Sweta Singh Arasu, Bengaluru.