The party's over: Diwali leaves Delhi wheezing in dangerously unhealthy air

Traffic moves on a flyover on a smoggy morning in New Delhi, India, November 4, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - New Delhi residents woke up on Friday under a blanket of smog darkening the city, the most dangerous air pollution of the year after Diwali revellers defied - as usual - a fireworks ban during India's annual Hindu festival of lights.

New Delhi has the worst air quality of all world capitals, but even by its sorry standards Friday's reading - the morning after the end of Diwali - was extra bad, the price for celebrating India's biggest festival in the noisiest and smokiest way.