Chennai experienced heavy rain on Monday as Diwali celebrations began. Areas including Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, and ECR Neelankarai reported waterlogging, causing inconvenience to residents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in isolated places across the state. Coastal Tamil Nadu is likely to see continued rainfall until October 22. Rainfall between 64.5 mm and 111.5 mm is expected in several districts. IMD also warned of a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal, which may turn into a depression in the coming days. CM MK Stalin reviewed the monsoon preparedness with district officials.

Delhi celebrated Diwali amid toxic air as AQI entered "very poor" category, triggering Stage 2 GRAP curbs Sunday evening. Monday morning saw two stations hit "severe" levels as Wazirpur recorded 419 AQI and Anand Vihar 411, while 27 stations remained "very poor." Sunday night showed 24 of 38 monitoring stations in dangerous zones. CAQM imposed 12 preventive measures including diesel generator restrictions, interstate bus limitations, and increased parking fees. Supreme Court permitted green crackers between specific hours (6-7 am, 8-10 pm) on Diwali eve and festival day. IMD forecast temperatures around 33°C maximum and 21°C minimum with morning mist expected throughout the week.

Delhi's Diwali celebrations turned toxic as AQI hit 335 in "very poor" category by Monday 7:30 am, with most monitoring stations exceeding 300. Anand Vihar recorded the worst at 417 in "severe" category. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage II of Graded Response Action Plan on Sunday after Supreme Court permitted green crackers within restricted timeframes (6-7 am, 8-10 pm). Twenty-four of Delhi's 38 monitoring stations reported "very poor" air quality Sunday night. IMD forecasts further deterioration to "severe" category Tuesday. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged residents to use only green crackers per Supreme Court orders, celebrating traditionally with diyas and rangoli while authorities maintain strict vigilance on dust mitigation measures.

Delhi-NCR woke to toxic air on Diwali morning as air quality plummeted to "very poor" category. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an AQI of 335 at 8 am after overnight firecracker bursting caused severe noise pollution and blanketed the capital in smoke. The Board's forecast warns of further deterioration into "severe" category on Tuesday and Wednesday. Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court permitted sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR with specific conditions, restricting usage to 6-7 pm the day before Diwali and 8-10 pm on festival day itself. Despite regulations, widespread cracker usage severely impacted air quality in the national capital region. (PC: Business Standard & Moneycontrol)

Delhi-NCR has activated GRAP 2 restrictions as air quality worsens ahead of Diwali. The AQI in the capital reached 296 on Sunday evening, nearing the “very poor” category. Stage 2 measures ban coal and firewood use, including tandoors in hotels and eateries, and restrict diesel generators except for essential services. Citizens are advised to use public transport, avoid dust-generating construction, and refrain from burning waste. Authorities will sprinkle water on roads, conduct dust control, and inspect construction sites. The restrictions aim to prevent severe pollution during Diwali, as firecracker use and weather conditions could further worsen air quality. (PC: HT)

A viral 17‑second video posted by IFS officer Parveen Kaswan shows a leopard rummaging through a pile of trash near Mount Abu in Rajasthan, highlighting the distressing impact of human waste on wildlife. The big cat—normally a stealthy apex predator—can be seen digging in plastic and spoiled food, clearly driven into desperation. Kaswan captioned the post, “What a sad visual… See how our trash is reaching the wild! Let’s be better, protect forests, manage waste, and give the wild its home back.” Social‑media users responded with outrage over habitat encroachment and called for stronger anti‑litter enforcement and better forest‑waste management.  

Delhi’s air quality stayed in the ‘poor’ category for the fourth day on Friday as pollution rose ahead of Diwali. The CPCB reported an AQI of 254 at 4 pm. Ghaziabad had the worst air at 306, followed by Noida 278 and Gurugram 266; Faridabad remained moderate at 105. Five Delhi stations, including Anand Vihar (382) and Wazirpur (351), recorded very poor air. Transport emissions and stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh were major causes. The IMD forecasts a misty Saturday with temperatures around 33°C maximum and 19°C minimum. (PC: BBC)

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Friday evening, causing strong tremors across parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The quake hit near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border at a depth of 10 kilometres around 5:45 pm. People in Srinagar and nearby areas rushed out of their homes as buildings shook for several seconds. No damage or casualties have been reported so far. This comes just a month after a powerful 6.2 magnitude quake killed over 1,400 people in Afghanistan. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have urged residents to stay alert for aftershocks.

Delhi's air quality deteriorated for the fourth consecutive day Friday, recording an AQI of 242 in the 'poor' category, with some areas reaching 'very poor' levels above 301. Transport emissions contributed 18.7% of total pollution. Areas like Akshardham (369) and Bawana (310) showed particularly hazardous readings. The pollution coincides with approaching Diwali festivities and winter stubble burning in neighboring states. The Supreme Court permitted green firecrackers with time restrictions (6-7 AM, 8-10 PM) on a test basis. Delhi government pledged strict enforcement through designated sale locations and patrol teams. Experts warn vulnerable populations like infants, elderly, pregnant women, and those with respiratory conditions might face severe health risks as pollution levels continue rising. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Delhi’s air quality stayed in the ‘poor’ category for the second day on Wednesday, with AQI at 213. The city recorded its first poor air day since June. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-1 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across NCR, including road cleaning, dust control, and checking polluting vehicles. Forecasts suggest AQI will remain poor until October 17 and may reach ‘very poor’ during Diwali. Transport, residential emissions, and unfavourable weather are the main causes. Authorities urge citizens to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali and avoid firecrackers. (PC: HT)