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As Tuesday dawned inhabitants of the world's most polluted city encountered inhaling dangerously toxic air that fell into the "severe" category.

Extremely High Air Quality Measurements

Multiple areas of the capital showed an pollution measurement over 500, which translates to 10x the healthy level set by the global health authority.

In some locations, levels of dangerous airborne particles hit highs of 1800, representing 15 to 20 times above acceptable standards.

Fireworks Restrictions and Current Developments

For the past four years, officials had maintained a comprehensive restriction on the sale and use of fireworks during celebrations due to their significant contribution to the deadly smog that engulfs the capital as the cold season begins.

However in recent months, the current city government petitioned the supreme court to propose a easing of the prohibition.

They proposed allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – which have been doubted by conservation groups as being only about 30% lower impact – as a middle ground between "cultural practices and environment".

Judicial Ruling and Enforcement

To the disappointment of environmental and health advocates, judges agreed to the proposal, mandating that green firecrackers could be ignited during specific hours throughout the festival.

On Monday night, there was considerable violation of the designated hours across the capital, with minimal monitoring regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the eco-friendly version.

Many recording stations throughout the capital showed pollution reaching highest levels around the night hours to the most severe readings seen during celebrations in at least the past three years.

International Consequences

Extensive ignition of fireworks during the celebrations also initiated a blame game with adjacent Pakistan, with authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province partially attributing deteriorating pollution levels in Lahore on contaminants coming from neighboring India following the events.

Persistent Environmental Issue

The dangerously high concentrations of pollution in Delhi have remained as a significant issue for over a decade and a half, with the situation gradually deteriorating.

Near Diwali, the levels of toxic particles in the environment has been found to shoot up to 70% higher the most severe readings ever recorded in Beijing, which was once viewed as the world's most polluted metropolis.

Various Pollution Factors

The problem in the city is attributed to a mix of various sources including transportation pollution, dust, development work, garbage fires and haze from farm burning in nearby areas of neighboring agricultural zones.

In these regions, agricultural workers illegally ignite agricultural waste to expedite field preparation, creating toxic haze that remains stagnant over the city as cooler air descends.

Medical and Financial Consequences

Public health and economic consequences on the roughly thirty-three million people residing in the Delhi area is enormous, according to multiple investigations.

These hazardous conditions leads to high levels of nervous system, heart and circulatory and breathing conditions, and can result in malignancies.

The pollution is estimated to be causing approximately 10k untimely mortalities annually in the capital.