Toxic smog cloaks India's capital as Diwali firecrackers push air pollution to hazardous levels

NEW DELHI (AP) — A thick layer of toxic smog cloaked India’s capital on Friday as smoke from firecrackers used to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, pushed air pollution to hazardous levels.

New Delhi's air quality index plunged into the “severe” category, according to SAFAR, India’s main environmental monitoring agency. In many areas, levels of deadly particulate matter reached seven times the World Health Organization's safety limit.

Authorities in the capital have banned the use and sale of traditional firecrackers since 2017, asking people to opt for environmentally friendly ones or light shows instead, but the rule is often flouted.

New Delhi, home to more than 33 million people, is regularly ranked one of the most polluted cities in the world.

The air pollution crisis deepens particularly in the winter when the burning of crop residue in neighboring states coincides with cooler temperatures that trap deadly smoke. That smoke travels to New Delhi, leading to a surge in pollution and worsening the public health crisis.

Emissions from industries without pollution controls and the use of coal, which produces most of the country’s electricity, are also linked to poor air quality in urban areas.

“We may not realize it now, but later we will face lung problems,” said Manoj Kumar, a New Delhi resident who does his morning runs around the capital's iconic India Gate monument.

Several studies have estimated that more than a million Indians die each year from air pollution-related diseases. Tiny particulate matter in polluted air can lodge deep in the lungs and cause a variety of major health problems.

A man jogs in the early morning smog, the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A man crosses a road in the early morning smog the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

People commute in the early morning smog the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

People commute in the early morning smog the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A stray dog looks on as people commute in the early morning smog the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A man wears a face mask as he walks by the side of a road in the early morning smog, the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian army soldiers light firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, near the Line of Control that divides Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, in Akhnoor sector, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)

A man wears a face mask as he jogs in the early morning smog, the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

People commute in the early morning smog, the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

People stand in the early morning smog next to a bridge over Yamuna river covered in pollutants, the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A commuter rides in the early morning smog on a bridge over Yamuna river covered in pollutants the day after the Hindu festival Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

SAO PAULO (AP) — Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has received a five-place grid penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix after he again decided to change his engine.

His move could improve the chances of McLaren's Lando Norris in Sunday's race to reduce the Dutchman's 47-point lead in Formula 1.

The FIA confirmed the Verstappen decision on Friday. Drivers are allowed to use four engines throughout the season. Verstappen is up to six.

He clocked the 15th best time during the morning practice, one second behind Norris, who was fastest. Later, he finished fourth in the sprint race qualifier, 0.320 seconds behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri, the leader.

Verstappen served a 10-place grid penalty for using his fifth engine at July’s Belgian GP.

The three-time F1 champion leads the overall standings with four races to go.

During his press conference on Thursday, Verstappen expressed doubts about whether he would change his engine for Brazil.

AP Formula 1: https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, arrives for the first free practice ahead of the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)