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Tamil Nadu is likely to experience very heavy to extremely heavy rain, as the Bay of Bengal is set to witness a low-pressure area intensify into a depression on Wednesday. This weather condition will trigger widespread downpours across the coastal and northern districts of the state.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mayiladuthurai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts. It also forecasted intense showers through the next few days.&nbsp;In addition, the impact of incessant rain has already begun; however, there have still been no reports of extremely heavy rainfall. After the continuous rain, water has entered homes in low-lying areas of the Tuticorin and Tiruvarur districts, prompting citizens to wade through knee-deep water.&nbsp;A large part of the paddy fields also remain submerged in the Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, sparking anxiety among farmers. "The submerged paddy will sprout if the rain doesn't stop. It will be a major loss for us," a farmer in Nagapattinam told NDTV.<h3>Educational institutions remained closed</h3>Cuddalore received the heaviest rainfall at 174 mm, followed by Puducherry with 147 mm and the Nungambakkam area of Chennai with 86.4 mm over 21 hours ending at 5:30 am on Tuesday. Educational institutions remained shut in 13 districts and in Puducherry, while in Chennai, Salem, Namakkal, and Pudukkottai, only schools were closed.&nbsp;Chief Minister MK Stalin has designated 12 IAS officers as monitoring officers for districts under red alert and instructed authorities to prepare relief camps, evacuate residents from vulnerable areas, and carry out immediate relief operations. Stalin also instructed officials to speed up paddy procurement and ensure safe storage in the delta districts.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reviewed preparedness on the ground and district collectors assured readiness for the residents. Chengalpattu Collector D Sneha told NDTV, "We've completed pre-monsoon desilting work. Water pumps, relief centres, and community kitchens are ready. We would also hold special medical camps soon after the rain."&nbsp;The IMD data indicated that heavy to very heavy rain is likely to continue over the next three days, and extremely heavy rainfall could also hit the isolated places in Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry.&nbsp;Several other districts, which include Chennai, Thanjavur, Kancheepuram, Tiruvarur, Tiruvallur, and Nagapattinam, are also likely to witness intense spells of rain till Friday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mayiladuthurai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts. It also forecasted intense showers through the next few days.

Tamil Nadu is likely to experience very heavy to extremely heavy rain, as the Bay of Bengal is set to witness a low-pressure area intensify into a depression on Wednesday. This weather condition will trigger widespread downpours across the coastal and northern districts of the state. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mayiladuthurai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts. It also forecasted intense showers through the next few days. In addition, the impact of incessant rain has already begun; however, there have still been no reports of extremely heavy rainfall. After the continuous rain, water has entered homes in low-lying areas of the Tuticorin and Tiruvarur districts, prompting citizens to wade through knee-deep water. A large part of the paddy fields also remain submerged in the Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, sparking anxiety among farmers. "The submerged paddy will sprout if the rain doesn't stop. It will be a major loss for us," a farmer in Nagapattinam told NDTV. Educational institutions remained closed Cuddalore received the heaviest rainfall at 174 mm, followed by Puducherry with 147 mm and the Nungambakkam area of Chennai with 86.4 mm over 21 hours ending at 5:30 am on Tuesday. Educational institutions remained shut in 13 districts and in Puducherry, while in Chennai, Salem, Namakkal, and Pudukkottai, only schools were closed. Chief Minister MK Stalin has designated 12 IAS officers as monitoring officers for districts under red alert and instructed authorities to prepare relief camps, evacuate residents from vulnerable areas, and carry out immediate relief operations. Stalin also instructed officials to speed up paddy procurement and ensure safe storage in the delta districts. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reviewed preparedness on the ground and district collectors assured readiness for the residents. Chengalpattu Collector D Sneha told NDTV, "We've completed pre-monsoon desilting work. Water pumps, relief centres, and community kitchens are ready. We would also hold special medical camps soon after the rain." The IMD data indicated that heavy to very heavy rain is likely to continue over the next three days, and extremely heavy rainfall could also hit the isolated places in Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry. Several other districts, which include Chennai, Thanjavur, Kancheepuram, Tiruvarur, Tiruvallur, and Nagapattinam, are also likely to witness intense spells of rain till Friday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mayiladuthurai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts. It also forecasted intense showers through the next few days.

Tamil Nadu braces for extremely heavy rain as low pressure deepens in Bay of Bengal, IMD issues red alert

A helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu encountered a minor tragedy on Wednesday when part of the helipad tarmac at Pramadam Stadium in Kerala sank shortly after landing. The President is on an official four-day visit to the state and was scheduled to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple.&nbsp;Quick action was taken by police and fire department personnel, who manually pushed the aircraft away from the sunken area to ensure safety after the helipad surface partially caved in moments after touchdown, according to news agency PTI.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Kerala: A portion of the helipad tarmac sank in after a chopper carrying President Droupdi Murmu landed at Pramadam Stadium. Police and fire department personnel deployed at the spot physically pushed the helicopter out of the sunken spot. <a href="https://t.co/QDmf28PqIb">pic.twitter.com/QDmf28PqIb</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1980848627162730593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Officials respond quickly</h3>According to news agency PTI, police and fire department personnel quickly responded and manually moved the helicopter away from the sunken section to ensure safety. The surface reportedly gave way just moments after the aircraft touched down.&nbsp;The Kerala visit of President Murmu began on October 21 and is set to conclude on October 24. She received a formal welcome from state officials after arriving at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Tuesday.&nbsp;"Governor of Kerala Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying Shri George Kurian received President Droupadi Murmu on her arrival at Thiruvananthapuram," stated the President's official X account.&nbsp;"Warmly welcomed Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, on her visit to Kerala. Her presence was a great honour for the State and our people," Kerala CM Vijayan posted on X.&nbsp;The President’s schedule includes visiting the Sabarimala Temple on October 22 to offer darshan and perform aarti. On October 23, she unveiled a bust of former President K.R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.&nbsp;She also inaugurated the Mahasamadhi Centenary observance of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala and later attended the valedictory ceremony of St. Thomas College’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Palai.

Police and fire department personnel quickly responded and manually moved the helicopter away from the sunken section to ensure safety. The surface reportedly gave way just moments after the aircraft touched down.

A helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu encountered a minor tragedy on Wednesday when part of the helipad tarmac at Pramadam Stadium in Kerala sank shortly after landing. The President is on an official four-day visit to the state and was scheduled to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple. Quick action was taken by police and fire department personnel, who manually pushed the aircraft away from the sunken area to ensure safety after the helipad surface partially caved in moments after touchdown, according to news agency PTI.

Police and fire department personnel quickly responded and manually moved the helicopter away from the sunken section to ensure safety. The surface reportedly gave way just moments after the aircraft touched down.

WATCH: President Murmu’s helicopter wheels sink into newly concreted helipad in Kerala

Renowned Hindi and Telugu filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma stirred controversy with his remark on the Gaza genocide by drawing a simile of the Israeli bombing of Gaza with the Hindu festival of light, Diwali.&nbsp;In a post on social media platform X, Ram Gopal Varma said, “In INDIA, only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In INDIA only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI🔥🔥🔥&mdash; Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) <a href="https://twitter.com/RGVzoomin/status/1980278432765521946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In India, Diwali is typically considered a ‘festival of light’, and it is also accompanied by fireworks, sweets, and prayers. Diwali celebrates light and hope. Gaza is a humanitarian crisis where innocent people are killed daily". Celebrating a mass murder represents a state of moral decay within the soul of India. Ram Gopal Varma, known for films such as Satya and Company, is also known for his controversial social media statements.&nbsp;The comment has drawn a reaction from both national and international audiences. Users responded, “You will take years to become a human. You don't even know the difference between celebration and devastation.”&nbsp;Many are calling him "insensitive and inhumane“.&nbsp;Journalist Rana Ayyub responded, “What is left for a virus to kill in a morally corrupt nation?”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Imagine comparing Diwali celebration to Gaza’s crimes of war. At least these social media platforms helped us identify the ‘famous’ yet the hateful amongst us. What makes a person so hateful is something I’ll never fathom or ever hope to. <a href="https://t.co/aa7mKQfBR0">pic.twitter.com/aa7mKQfBR0</a>&mdash; Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankac19/status/1980575972840862138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There had been a growing criticism over India's deepening ties with Israel. Since October 2023, the Indian government has emerged as one of the major supporters of Israel. Earlier this month, thousands of supporters came out in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other cities in support of Gaza, and opposing the defence partnership of India and Israel. There had been a historical shift in India's stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict. India has on several occasions abstained from voting against Israel, an international call for a military embargo and refused to join the genocide case at the Hague.&nbsp;

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma faces massive backlash for comparing Gaza bombings to Diwali, sparking outrage among netizens and political leaders.

Renowned Hindi and Telugu filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma stirred controversy with his remark on the Gaza genocide by drawing a simile of the Israeli bombing of Gaza with the Hindu festival of light, Diwali. In a post on social media platform X, Ram Gopal Varma said, “In INDIA, only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI”

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma faces massive backlash for comparing Gaza bombings to Diwali, sparking outrage among netizens and political leaders.

'In GAZA, every day is DIWALI': Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's 'inhumane' remark on Gaza

In a marked departure from its traditional male-dominated structure, the United Nations-designated terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed has begun recruiting women through a new online course aimed at indoctrinating participants and building a dedicated female brigade. The course, titled “Tufat al-Muminat” is set to start on Nov. 8 and will consist of 40-minute daily sessions delivered via online meeting platforms. It is designed to draw in women from across Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, charging each enrollee a 500 Pakistani rupee donation (about $1.80) while requiring them to complete an online information form. The initiative, led by relatives of the group’s founder, Masood Azhar, shows JeM’s evolving tactics amid recent setbacks, including deadly Indian airstrikes that decimated its headquarters in Pakistan's heartland-Punjab.&nbsp;JeM, has been responsible for major terror attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary officers, announced the formation of its women’s wing, Jamat ul-Muminat (Community of Believing Women), on October 8. The brigade’s leadership includes Azhar’s younger sister, Sadiya Azhar, whose husband, Yusuf Azhar, a senior JeM commander, was killed in India’s Operation Sindoor airstrikes in May. &nbsp;Also on the group’s advisory council, or Shura, are another of Azhar’s sisters, Safia Azhar, and Afreera Farooq, the widow of Umar Farooq, the JeM operative behind the Pulwama attack who was later killed in an Indian counterterrorism operation. The instructors for the course will include Sadiya Azhar.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/suspected-ulfa-i-terrorist-killed-in-arunachal-pradesh-encounter-search-operation-underway-1761108577190">Suspected ULFA (I) terrorist killed in Arunachal Pradesh encounter, Search operation underway</a>&nbsp;The program is framed as a means to empower women but sources familiar with JeM’s operations say it is part of a broader push to create female suicide squads modeled on those used by groups like the Islamic State and Hamas.JeM’s pivot toward women comes months after Operation Sindoor, a series of Indian missile strikes on May 7 that targeted the group’s Bahawalpur headquarters, Markaz Subhanallah, killing several Azhar family members and commanders.&nbsp;The attacks prompted Azhar and his brother, Talha al-Saif, to rethink the group’s strategy, including the integration of women into operational roles — a shift from JeM’s roots, which historically discouraged female involvement in combat.&nbsp;Intelligence reports indicate that initial recruitment for Jamat ul-Muminat has focused on the wives of JeM commanders and economically vulnerable women studying at the group’s centers in Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur and Mansehra. An event on Oct. 19 in Rawalkot, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, called “Dukhtaran-e-Islam”, served as an early mobilization effort.&nbsp;The fundraising aspect of the course highlights broader concerns about Pakistan’s enforcement of global financial safeguards. Despite commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body combating money laundering and terror financing, Islamabad has turned a blind eye to groups like JeM, which operate seminaries and collect donations openly. In a Sept. 27 speech at Markaz Usman-o-Ali, Azhar himself urged followers to donate amid the group’s rebuilding efforts, a plea now extended through this program.

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed launches online course to recruit women into new all-female unit

In a marked departure from its traditional male-dominated structure, the United Nations-designated terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed has begun recruiting women through a new online course aimed at indoctrinating participants and building a dedicated female brigade. The course, titled “Tufat al-Muminat” is set to start on Nov. 8 and will consist of 40-minute daily sessions delivered via online meeting platforms. It is designed to draw in women from across Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, charging each enrollee a 500 Pakistani rupee donation (about $1.80) while requiring them to complete an online information form. The initiative, led by relatives of the group’s founder, Masood Azhar, shows JeM’s evolving tactics amid recent setbacks, including deadly Indian airstrikes that decimated its headquarters in Pakistan's heartland-Punjab. JeM, has been responsible for major terror attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary officers, announced the formation of its women’s wing, Jamat ul-Muminat (Community of Believing Women), on October 8. The brigade’s leadership includes Azhar’s younger sister, Sadiya Azhar, whose husband, Yusuf Azhar, a senior JeM commander, was killed in India’s Operation Sindoor airstrikes in May. Also on the group’s advisory council, or Shura, are another of Azhar’s sisters, Safia Azhar, and Afreera Farooq, the widow of Umar Farooq, the JeM operative behind the Pulwama attack who was later killed in an Indian counterterrorism operation. The instructors for the course will include Sadiya Azhar. Also Read: Suspected ULFA (I) terrorist killed in Arunachal Pradesh encounter, Search operation underway The program is framed as a means to empower women but sources familiar with JeM’s operations say it is part of a broader push to create female suicide squads modeled on those used by groups like the Islamic State and Hamas. JeM’s pivot toward women comes months after Operation Sindoor, a series of Indian missile strikes on May 7 that targeted the group’s Bahawalpur headquarters, Markaz Subhanallah, killing several Azhar family members and commanders. The attacks prompted Azhar and his brother, Talha al-Saif, to rethink the group’s strategy, including the integration of women into operational roles — a shift from JeM’s roots, which historically discouraged female involvement in combat. Intelligence reports indicate that initial recruitment for Jamat ul-Muminat has focused on the wives of JeM commanders and economically vulnerable women studying at the group’s centers in Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur and Mansehra. An event on Oct. 19 in Rawalkot, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, called “Dukhtaran-e-Islam”, served as an early mobilization effort. The fundraising aspect of the course highlights broader concerns about Pakistan’s enforcement of global financial safeguards. Despite commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body combating money laundering and terror financing, Islamabad has turned a blind eye to groups like JeM, which operate seminaries and collect donations openly. In a Sept. 27 speech at Markaz Usman-o-Ali, Azhar himself urged followers to donate amid the group’s rebuilding efforts, a plea now extended through this program.

JeM, has been responsible for major terror attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary officers, announced the formation of its women’s wing, Jamat ul-Muminat (Community of Believing Women), on October 8

Akeel Akhtar, son of former Punjab DGP (Human Rights) Mohammad Mustafa, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in August. Before his death, Akeel recorded a video accusing his father of having an illicit relationship with his wife and alleging that his mother and sister were conspiring against him. A FIR was filed under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Mustafa, his wife Sultana, their daughter, and daughter-in-law. Mustafa has now issued a response after being booked.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mustafa said that filing an FIR does not prove guilt and said the real investigation will now begin. He expressed confidence that the truth will emerge soon. "The registration of an FIR absolutely does not mean that someone's guilt has been proven. The real investigation will begin now after the FIR is registered, and in a few days, the truth will come out before the public," he said in a statement. Mustafa also alleged “dirty politics and cheap thinking” behind the FIR, adding, “Those who got the FIR registered based on baseless allegations should also be prepared to face the law.”<h2>Yet another twist</h2>According to The Indian Express, Mustafa said that, as per initial police findings, Aqil died of a buprenorphine overdose. He revealed that the family had been seeking treatment for Aqil’s addiction since 2007, including at PGIMER Chandigarh, but he repeatedly relapsed. Mustafa claimed Aqil began using drugs in Class 10 while at Welham Boys School and was expelled from several schools in Chandigarh. Over time, his condition worsened, leading to psychotic episodes, aggression, and violent behavior—including setting the family home on fire and harassing his mother and wife for money. Though the family had lodged multiple complaints against him with Panchkula police, Mustafa said they would withdraw them because he was their son. The former top cop added that the family had eventually arranged a separate rental home for Aqil’s wife and children due to his erratic behavior. He also alleged that Aqil attacked his security personnel and police officers and had turned to various drugs, including ICE. Mustafa stated his son would often record videos in a disturbed mental state and later contradict himself. He maintained that the family's struggle to manage Aqil’s addiction is well-documented and welcomed an official investigation.&nbsp;

Akeel Akhtar, son of ex-Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa, was found dead in August after accusing his family of conspiracy. An FIR was filed under BNS sections for murder and conspiracy. Mustafa denied the charges, citing Akeel’s long-term drug addiction and welcomed a full investigation.

Akeel Akhtar, son of former Punjab DGP (Human Rights) Mohammad Mustafa, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in August. Before his death, Akeel recorded a video accusing his father of having an illicit relationship with his wife and alleging that his mother and sister were conspiring against him. A FIR was filed under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Mustafa, his wife Sultana, their daughter, and daughter-in-law. Mustafa has now issued a response after being booked. Mustafa said that filing an FIR does not prove guilt and said the real investigation will now begin. He expressed confidence that the truth will emerge soon. "The registration of an FIR absolutely does not mean that someone's guilt has been proven. The real investigation will begin now after the FIR is registered, and in a few days, the truth will come out before the public," he said in a statement. Mustafa also alleged “dirty politics and cheap thinking” behind the FIR, adding, “Those who got the FIR registered based on baseless allegations should also be prepared to face the law.” Yet another twist According to The Indian Express, Mustafa said that, as per initial police findings, Aqil died of a buprenorphine overdose. He revealed that the family had been seeking treatment for Aqil’s addiction since 2007, including at PGIMER Chandigarh, but he repeatedly relapsed. Mustafa claimed Aqil began using drugs in Class 10 while at Welham Boys School and was expelled from several schools in Chandigarh. Over time, his condition worsened, leading to psychotic episodes, aggression, and violent behavior—including setting the family home on fire and harassing his mother and wife for money. Though the family had lodged multiple complaints against him with Panchkula police, Mustafa said they would withdraw them because he was their son. The former top cop added that the family had eventually arranged a separate rental home for Aqil’s wife and children due to his erratic behavior. He also alleged that Aqil attacked his security personnel and police officers and had turned to various drugs, including ICE. Mustafa stated his son would often record videos in a disturbed mental state and later contradict himself. He maintained that the family's struggle to manage Aqil’s addiction is well-documented and welcomed an official investigation.

Akeel Akhtar, son of ex-Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa, was found dead in August after accusing his family of conspiracy. An FIR was filed under BNS sections for murder and conspiracy. Mustafa denied the charges, citing Akeel’s long-term drug addiction and welcomed a full investigation.

Ex-Punjab DGP breaks silence after being booked for son's murder, claims 'Akeel was a drug-addict, harassed wife and mother'

A suspected terrorist of the banned outfit ULFA (Independent) was shot dead during a fierce exchange of fire with security forces led by Assam Rifles personnel in the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. Police sources indicated that the encounter occurred at the 6 Mile area under the Namsai police station.&nbsp;Acting on intelligence inputs about the presence of six to seven ULFA (I) cadres in the 6 Mile Lekang Khampti area, the Assam Rifles launched a search operation. As the team neared the suspected hideout, the militants opened fire, prompting security forces to retaliate, according to a report in NDTV.<h3>Search operation underway</h3>Amid the gunfire between security forces and militants, one suspected terrorist was killed, and the rest fled from the location. After the gunfire, an HK series automatic rifle, one grenade, and three bags were recovered from the encounter site.&nbsp;The police stated that a search operation is still underway, and security forces are using a chopper, drone, and tracker dogs to trace.&nbsp;The group of suspected ULFA ( I) terrorists was from the same group that had recently carried out an attack at an army COB in Kakopathar in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district last week, sources said.&nbsp;According to sources, the group involved in the encounter is believed to be the same ULFA (I) unit that attacked an Army Company Operating Base (COB) in Kakopathar, Tinsukia district, last week.

Police sources said that the group of suspected ULFA ( I) terrorists was from the same group that had recently carried out an attack at an army COB in Kakopathar in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district last week.

A suspected terrorist of the banned outfit ULFA (Independent) was shot dead during a fierce exchange of fire with security forces led by Assam Rifles personnel in the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. Police sources indicated that the encounter occurred at the 6 Mile area under the Namsai police station. Acting on intelligence inputs about the presence of six to seven ULFA (I) cadres in the 6 Mile Lekang Khampti area, the Assam Rifles launched a search operation. As the team neared the suspected hideout, the militants opened fire, prompting security forces to retaliate, according to a report in NDTV. Search operation underway Amid the gunfire between security forces and militants, one suspected terrorist was killed, and the rest fled from the location. After the gunfire, an HK series automatic rifle, one grenade, and three bags were recovered from the encounter site. The police stated that a search operation is still underway, and security forces are using a chopper, drone, and tracker dogs to trace. The group of suspected ULFA ( I) terrorists was from the same group that had recently carried out an attack at an army COB in Kakopathar in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district last week, sources said. According to sources, the group involved in the encounter is believed to be the same ULFA (I) unit that attacked an Army Company Operating Base (COB) in Kakopathar, Tinsukia district, last week.

Police sources said that the group of suspected ULFA ( I) terrorists was from the same group that had recently carried out an attack at an army COB in Kakopathar in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district last week.

Suspected ULFA (I) terrorist killed in Arunachal Pradesh encounter, Search operation underway

A thick layer of toxic haze continued to blanket Delhi for a second consecutive day after Diwali, as people ignored the Supreme Court's two-hour limit on firecrackers. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category, measuring 345 at 7 am. Out of 38 monitoring stations, 34 reported air quality in the ‘red zone’ (very poor to severe), while two stations – Punjab Bagh and Wazirpur – recorded AQI levels in the ‘severe’ zone, reaching 433 and 401 respectively. To put this in perspective, AQI levels between 0 and 50 are considered 'good,' 51-100 are 'satisfactory,' 101-200 are 'moderate,' 201-300 are 'poor,' 301-400 are 'very poor,' and anything above 400 is deemed ‘severe.’

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Visuals from the ITO as GRAP-2 invoked in Delhi. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region was recorded at 361, in the &#39;Very Poor&#39; category, this morning <a href="https://t.co/4KEqIV2wRc">pic.twitter.com/4KEqIV2wRc</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1980804208313135582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At ITO, the AQI was recorded at 361, with thick smog visibly covering the area. Despite a significant reduction in stubble burning (down by 77.5%), which is a major contributor to pollution in Delhi, the AQI still stood at a five-year post-Diwali low of nearly 350. Furthermore, PM2.5 levels soared to alarming averages of 488 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly 100 times the recommended safe exposure limit set by the World Health Organization.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wife-throws-acid-on-husband-on-diwali-under-suspicion-of-extramarital-affair-1761074844668">Wife throws acid on husband on Diwali under suspicion of extramarital affair</a>&nbsp;This pollution crisis followed the Supreme Court's decision to allow the use of only 'green' crackers in Delhi-NCR between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali, and within limited hours on the day before and after the festival. However, many residents disregarded the ruling, continuing to set off firecrackers late into the night.&nbsp;In the political arena, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sharply criticised the ruling BJP for the deteriorating air quality, with AAP MLA Gopal Rai accusing the Delhi government of failing to address the pollution problem. He also blamed BJP leaders for encouraging people to burst crackers despite the dire air quality. On the other hand, the BJP shifted blame onto citizens for defying the firecracker ban and pointed to stubble burning in neighboring states as a major factor in the worsening air pollution.

Delhi blanketed in toxic smog for second day as air quality hits ‘severe’ levels post-Diwali

A thick layer of toxic haze continued to blanket Delhi for a second consecutive day after Diwali, as people ignored the Supreme Court's two-hour limit on firecrackers. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category, measuring 345 at 7 am. Out of 38 monitoring stations, 34 reported air quality in the ‘red zone’ (very poor to severe), while two stations – Punjab Bagh and Wazirpur – recorded AQI levels in the ‘severe’ zone, reaching 433 and 401 respectively. To put this in perspective, AQI levels between 0 and 50 are considered 'good,' 51-100 are 'satisfactory,' 101-200 are 'moderate,' 201-300 are 'poor,' 301-400 are 'very poor,' and anything above 400 is deemed ‘severe.’

Delhi remains choked in hazardous air pollution post Diwali, with AQI reaching ‘severe’ levels. Firecracker use beyond Supreme Court limits worsens the crisis

In a shocking incident in India's Gujarat, a woman brutally attacked her husband with boiling water on Diwali under the suspicion of an extramarital affair. The wife first threw hot water and then poured acid on him. The 33-year-old victim, named Ronak, was severely injured in the attack. The wife has been arrested.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-france-president-nicholas-sarkozy-election-campaign-funding-deal-with-libya-dictator-muammar-gaddafi-details-1761054226702">All about Sarkozy's election campaign funding deal with Libyan dictator Gaddafi</a>&nbsp;Ronak was a food delivery agent from Satellite. He told police that his wife had been arguing with him frequently for the past year.&nbsp;“She first poured boiling water on him while he was under a blanket,” a police officer said.&nbsp;“As he tried to escape and remove his clothes, she threw acid on him, causing serious burns," the officer added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/every-part-of-pakistan-is-in-reach-the-power-and-politics-of-brahmos-1761045261162">Every part of Pakistan is in reach: The Power and politics of BrahMos</a>&nbsp;The victim is currently receiving treatment for severe burn injuries, while police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to this violent Diwali attack.&nbsp;Meanwhile, in India's capital city, Delhi, multiple burn injury cases were reported after the Diwali celebration on Tuesday (Oct 22).&nbsp;Alos read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-demand-for-immidiate-ceasefire-with-ukraine-contrary-to-trump-putin-agreement-in-alaska-kremlin-1761072472770">Trump’s demand for immidiate ceasefire with Ukraine ‘contrary to Trump-Putin agreement in Alaska: Kremlin</a>&nbsp;As per the data from the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Burns Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a total of 60 burn cases were recorded between October 19 and October 21.

 The wife first threw hot water and then poured acid on him. The 33-year-old victim, named Ronak, was severely injured in the attack. The wife has been arrested.

In a shocking incident in India's Gujarat, a woman brutally attacked her husband with boiling water on Diwali under the suspicion of an extramarital affair. The wife first threw hot water and then poured acid on him. The 33-year-old victim, named Ronak, was severely injured in the attack. The wife has been arrested. Also read: All about Sarkozy's election campaign funding deal with Libyan dictator Gaddafi Ronak was a food delivery agent from Satellite. He told police that his wife had been arguing with him frequently for the past year. “She first poured boiling water on him while he was under a blanket,” a police officer said. “As he tried to escape and remove his clothes, she threw acid on him, causing serious burns," the officer added. Also read: Every part of Pakistan is in reach: The Power and politics of BrahMos The victim is currently receiving treatment for severe burn injuries, while police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to this violent Diwali attack. Meanwhile, in India's capital city, Delhi, multiple burn injury cases were reported after the Diwali celebration on Tuesday (Oct 22). Alos read: Trump’s demand for immidiate ceasefire with Ukraine ‘contrary to Trump-Putin agreement in Alaska: Kremlin As per the data from the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Burns Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a total of 60 burn cases were recorded between October 19 and October 21.

&nbsp;The wife first threw hot water and then poured acid on him. The 33-year-old victim, named Ronak, was severely injured in the attack. The wife has been arrested.

Wife throws acid on husband on Diwali under suspicion of extramarital affair

The son of a former senior cop in India's Punjab was found dead under mysterious circumstances back in August. The son, Akeel Akhtar, had previously made a video and alleged that his father, &nbsp;Mohammad Mustafa, had an illicit relationship with his wife. He also alleged that his mother and sister were part of a plot to kill him or falsely implicate him. Now, Mustafa has rejected the claims of any torture of his son or any foul play.&nbsp; Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-france-president-nicholas-sarkozy-election-campaign-funding-deal-with-libya-dictator-muammar-gaddafi-details-1761054226702">All about Sarkozy's election campaign funding deal with Libyan dictator Gaddafi</a>&nbsp;The pre-recorded video of the 35-year-old Akeel, son of former Punjab DGP (Human Rights) Mohammad Mustafa, was submitted to the police by their neighbour Shamshuddin Chaudhary.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-tops-list-as-world-s-most-polluted-city-mumbai-kolkata-lahore-and-karachi-make-top-10-1761034310819">Delhi is world's most polluted city; Mumbai, Kolkata, Lahore, Karachi in top 10</a>A case has been registered against Akeel's family after a &nbsp;complaint by a person whom the former IPS officer described as having "dirty thoughts and petty political motives."&nbsp;Alos read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-demand-for-immidiate-ceasefire-with-ukraine-contrary-to-trump-putin-agreement-in-alaska-kremlin-1761072472770">Trump’s demand for immidiate ceasefire with Ukraine ‘contrary to Trump-Putin agreement in Alaska: Kremlin</a>&nbsp;"Panchkula police have followed this duty, and I welcome it," he said. Mustafa said in his statement.

He also alleged that his mother and sister were part of a plot to kill him or falsely implicate him. Now, Mustafa has rejected the claims of any torture of his son or any foul play. 

The son of a former senior cop in India's Punjab was found dead under mysterious circumstances back in August. The son, Akeel Akhtar, had previously made a video and alleged that his father, Mohammad Mustafa, had an illicit relationship with his wife. He also alleged that his mother and sister were part of a plot to kill him or falsely implicate him. Now, Mustafa has rejected the claims of any torture of his son or any foul play. Also read: All about Sarkozy's election campaign funding deal with Libyan dictator Gaddafi The pre-recorded video of the 35-year-old Akeel, son of former Punjab DGP (Human Rights) Mohammad Mustafa, was submitted to the police by their neighbour Shamshuddin Chaudhary. Also read: Delhi is world's most polluted city; Mumbai, Kolkata, Lahore, Karachi in top 10 A case has been registered against Akeel's family after a complaint by a person whom the former IPS officer described as having "dirty thoughts and petty political motives." Alos read: Trump’s demand for immidiate ceasefire with Ukraine ‘contrary to Trump-Putin agreement in Alaska: Kremlin "Panchkula police have followed this duty, and I welcome it," he said. Mustafa said in his statement.

He also alleged that his mother and sister were part of a plot to kill him or falsely implicate him. Now, Mustafa has rejected the claims of any torture of his son or any foul play.&nbsp;

Ex-DGP's son dies mysteriously a week after alleging father’s affair with wife

An Indian court rejected the appeal of a 38-year-old truck driver who attempted to rape two minor girls. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court said that even the slightest penetration constitutes rape. And the consent is invalid when the survivor is a minor. The man tried to rape two girls who were below the age of seven.&nbsp;The court sentenced 10 years in prison for the truck driver for attempting to commit aggravated penetrative sexual assault on two girls aged five and six.&nbsp;Alos read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-demand-for-immidiate-ceasefire-with-ukraine-contrary-to-trump-putin-agreement-in-alaska-kremlin-1761072472770">Trump’s demand for immidiate ceasefire with Ukraine ‘contrary to Trump-Putin agreement in Alaska: Kremlin</a>&nbsp;According to the court hearing, the truck driver lured the children with guavas. He showed them obscene videos and attempted to sexually assault them. He was convicted under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 376(2)(i) read with Section 511 of the IPC and fined ₹50,000.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-france-president-nicholas-sarkozy-election-campaign-funding-deal-with-libya-dictator-muammar-gaddafi-details-1761054226702">All about Sarkozy's election campaign funding deal with Libyan dictator Gaddafi</a>&nbsp;“The act of rape or aggravated penetrative sexual assault stands complete as soon as the accused inserts any body part into the survivor’s private parts — the extent of penetration being immaterial in law," Justice Nivedita Mehta said while sentencing the man. Simply because the medical examination, conducted more than 15 days later, did not show injuries due to the survivor’s tender age, the act cannot be treated as a mere ‘attempt’ to discard otherwise credible testimony," the order said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/every-part-of-pakistan-is-in-reach-the-power-and-politics-of-brahmos-1761045261162">Every part of Pakistan is in reach: The Power and politics of BrahMos</a>&nbsp;

The court sentenced 10 years in prison for the truck driver for attempting to commit aggravated penetrative sexual assault on two girls aged five and six.



An Indian court rejected the appeal of a 38-year-old truck driver who attempted to rape two minor girls. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court said that even the slightest penetration constitutes rape. And the consent is invalid when the survivor is a minor. The man tried to rape two girls who were below the age of seven. The court sentenced 10 years in prison for the truck driver for attempting to commit aggravated penetrative sexual assault on two girls aged five and six. Alos read: Trump’s demand for immidiate ceasefire with Ukraine ‘contrary to Trump-Putin agreement in Alaska: Kremlin According to the court hearing, the truck driver lured the children with guavas. He showed them obscene videos and attempted to sexually assault them. He was convicted under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 376(2)(i) read with Section 511 of the IPC and fined ₹50,000. Also read: All about Sarkozy's election campaign funding deal with Libyan dictator Gaddafi “The act of rape or aggravated penetrative sexual assault stands complete as soon as the accused inserts any body part into the survivor’s private parts — the extent of penetration being immaterial in law," Justice Nivedita Mehta said while sentencing the man. Simply because the medical examination, conducted more than 15 days later, did not show injuries due to the survivor’s tender age, the act cannot be treated as a mere ‘attempt’ to discard otherwise credible testimony," the order said. Also read: Every part of Pakistan is in reach: The Power and politics of BrahMos

The court sentenced 10 years in prison for the truck driver for attempting to commit aggravated penetrative sexual assault on two girls aged five and six.&nbsp;

Truck driver sexually assaults girls aged 5 and 6; gets 10 years in jail

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) slammed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led BJP government for its "failure" to curb pollution in the city, after the national capital witnessed a poor and toxic air quality following Diwali. However, in response to the criticism, the BJP blamed the citizens for bursting crackers and farmers for stubble burning in nearby states.&nbsp;AAP MLA Gopal Rai accused the Delhi government of "making excuses" and not taking action to prevent the pollution. "There is a lot of pollution in Delhi. The level of pollution has increased. But the Delhi government is not doing anything. They are making excuses and blaming other states. BJP is in power everywhere in UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Why didn't they talk to any other state first before Diwali?" he said, ANI reported.&nbsp;He alleged that BJP leaders were encouraging people to burst firecrackers despite the ongoing air emergency in the national capital.&nbsp;Meanwhile, AAP state president Saurabh Bharadwaj also took a dig at BJP’s Rekha Gupta over the worsening pollution levels, saying she did not even know how to “pronounce AQI.” "We don't know what the government has done. The Chief Minister does not even know how to pronounce AQI. She calls it IQ, QQ. She can't even say AQI. She has no understanding. The government has failed to stop pollution," he said, ANI reported.&nbsp;Bharadwaj further accused the BJP government of "misleading" the public, claiming that it had failed to initiate the promised artificial rain in Delhi. "The government lies. The government said that after Diwali, they would fix all the pollution by conducting artificial rain. Did it happen? No, my question is that if you could have conducted artificial rain, then why didn't you do it? Do you want people to fall ill?" he asked.<h3>BJP's response to AAP</h3>The BJP, meanwhile, attributed the pollution crisis to stubble burning in neighbouring states. "Delhi bearing the brunt of pollution from neighbouring states, stubble being burnt despite the Supreme Court's stricture," Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.&nbsp;In addition, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya added that Delhi would continue to suffer until “Punjab stops stubble burning.” "Stop blaming Deepawali for the sins of the Aam Aadmi Party — it's their smoke, not the festival's lamps or firecrackers, that darkens Delhi's skies. Their dark shadow still looms large over the Capital," he said.

AAP state president Saurabh Bharadwaj took a dig at Rekha Gupta over the worsening pollution levels, saying she did not even know how to “pronounce AQI.” He also accused the BJP government of "misleading" the public, failing to initiate the promised artificial rain in Delhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) slammed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led BJP government for its "failure" to curb pollution in the city, after the national capital witnessed a poor and toxic air quality following Diwali. However, in response to the criticism, the BJP blamed the citizens for bursting crackers and farmers for stubble burning in nearby states. AAP MLA Gopal Rai accused the Delhi government of "making excuses" and not taking action to prevent the pollution. "There is a lot of pollution in Delhi. The level of pollution has increased. But the Delhi government is not doing anything. They are making excuses and blaming other states. BJP is in power everywhere in UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Why didn't they talk to any other state first before Diwali?" he said, ANI reported. He alleged that BJP leaders were encouraging people to burst firecrackers despite the ongoing air emergency in the national capital. Meanwhile, AAP state president Saurabh Bharadwaj also took a dig at BJP’s Rekha Gupta over the worsening pollution levels, saying she did not even know how to “pronounce AQI.” "We don't know what the government has done. The Chief Minister does not even know how to pronounce AQI. She calls it IQ, QQ. She can't even say AQI. She has no understanding. The government has failed to stop pollution," he said, ANI reported. Bharadwaj further accused the BJP government of "misleading" the public, claiming that it had failed to initiate the promised artificial rain in Delhi. "The government lies. The government said that after Diwali, they would fix all the pollution by conducting artificial rain. Did it happen? No, my question is that if you could have conducted artificial rain, then why didn't you do it? Do you want people to fall ill?" he asked. BJP's response to AAP The BJP, meanwhile, attributed the pollution crisis to stubble burning in neighbouring states. "Delhi bearing the brunt of pollution from neighbouring states, stubble being burnt despite the Supreme Court's stricture," Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. In addition, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya added that Delhi would continue to suffer until “Punjab stops stubble burning.” "Stop blaming Deepawali for the sins of the Aam Aadmi Party — it's their smoke, not the festival's lamps or firecrackers, that darkens Delhi's skies. Their dark shadow still looms large over the Capital," he said.

AAP state president Saurabh Bharadwaj took a dig at Rekha Gupta over the worsening pollution levels, saying she did not even know how to “pronounce AQI.” He also accused the BJP government of "misleading" the public, failing to initiate the promised artificial rain in Delhi.

'Can’t even say AQI': AAP targets CM Rekha Gupta for pollution in Delhi; BJP shift blames to crackers, stubble Burning

Over 250 people suffered burn injuries in Delhi on Diwali, where several hospitals reported dozens of patients admitted due to firecracker-related accidents after the Diwali celebrations on Tuesday. The Safdarjung Hospital, the largest burn unit in the country, recorded the highest number of 129 cases.&nbsp;After the Safdarjung Hospital, 55 burn cases were found from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 37 cases were found from the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, 16 at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital and 15 at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, according to a report by news agency PTI.&nbsp;Dr Sujata Sarabhai, Head of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at the hospital, confirmed that between October 19 and 20, the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital received 129 burn cases on Diwali alone, where 111 patients suffered minor burns and were treated on an OPD basis, while 18 patients with major burns were admitted.&nbsp;She added that out of 129 cases, 118 were due to firecrackers and 11 by diyas (earthen lamps), and a total of 117 patients were from Delhi, out of which nine had to undergo surgery. In addition, 24 patients were children aged below 12 years.<h3>Several went under surgery</h3>In AIIMS, the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department received 55 burn cases related to Diwali in 48 hours, and 10 patients with major burns were admitted to the ICU. "They have life- and limb-threatening injuries," said Dr Maneesh Singhal, Head of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery at the AIIMS. He added that 23 patients underwent surgery.&nbsp;Dr Maneesh Singhal stated that out of the 55 reported burn cases, 42 were linked to firecrackers, three to diyas, and nine to chemical burns caused by potash. Eight of the victims were children under 12, including a four-month-old infant.&nbsp;In East Delhi, GTB Hospital recorded 37 burn injury cases, with seven patients still hospitalised, though none in critical condition, an official said. The hospital also received one brought-dead case. Among the admitted, three suffered firecracker burns, two had injuries from diyas, and one sustained burns due to a cooker blast, the official added.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received 269 emergency calls on Diwali night, reflecting nearly a 15 per cent drop compared to last year’s 318 calls. In 2023, the city had recorded 318 fire-related emergencies on Diwali night, which was the highest number since 2011.

Dr Sujata Sarabhai, Head of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at the hospital, confirmed that between October 19 and 20, the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital received 129 burn cases on Diwali alone, where 111 patients suffered minor burns and were treated on an OPD basis.

Over 250 people suffered burn injuries in Delhi on Diwali, where several hospitals reported dozens of patients admitted due to firecracker-related accidents after the Diwali celebrations on Tuesday. The Safdarjung Hospital, the largest burn unit in the country, recorded the highest number of 129 cases. After the Safdarjung Hospital, 55 burn cases were found from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 37 cases were found from the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, 16 at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital and 15 at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, according to a report by news agency PTI. Dr Sujata Sarabhai, Head of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at the hospital, confirmed that between October 19 and 20, the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital received 129 burn cases on Diwali alone, where 111 patients suffered minor burns and were treated on an OPD basis, while 18 patients with major burns were admitted. She added that out of 129 cases, 118 were due to firecrackers and 11 by diyas (earthen lamps), and a total of 117 patients were from Delhi, out of which nine had to undergo surgery. In addition, 24 patients were children aged below 12 years. Several went under surgery In AIIMS, the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department received 55 burn cases related to Diwali in 48 hours, and 10 patients with major burns were admitted to the ICU. "They have life- and limb-threatening injuries," said Dr Maneesh Singhal, Head of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery at the AIIMS. He added that 23 patients underwent surgery. Dr Maneesh Singhal stated that out of the 55 reported burn cases, 42 were linked to firecrackers, three to diyas, and nine to chemical burns caused by potash. Eight of the victims were children under 12, including a four-month-old infant. In East Delhi, GTB Hospital recorded 37 burn injury cases, with seven patients still hospitalised, though none in critical condition, an official said. The hospital also received one brought-dead case. Among the admitted, three suffered firecracker burns, two had injuries from diyas, and one sustained burns due to a cooker blast, the official added. Meanwhile, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received 269 emergency calls on Diwali night, reflecting nearly a 15 per cent drop compared to last year’s 318 calls. In 2023, the city had recorded 318 fire-related emergencies on Diwali night, which was the highest number since 2011.

Dr Sujata Sarabhai, Head of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at the hospital, confirmed that between October 19 and 20, the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital received 129 burn cases on Diwali alone, where 111 patients suffered minor burns and were treated on an OPD basis.

Over 250 burn injury cases reported in Delhi hospital after Diwali, Safdarjung leads with 129 cases

Diwali has concluded and the AQI levels across the city have gone up to dangerous levels. Here's a full list of Delhi's ten most polluted areas after the biggest festival, Diwali.

Full list of Delhi's Top 10 most-polluted areas the day after Diwali

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Low Pressure area off India's southeast coast has intensified into a well-marked low pressure area on Tuesday, 21st&nbsp;October. By Wednesday afternoon, it s expected to further intensify into a depression off the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts, and is likely to intensify further into a deep depression in the subsequent 24hours. Owing to this weather system, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast for large parts of coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and adjoining districts.&nbsp; In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brings moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds.&nbsp;&nbsp;Already, locations in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district have recorded upto 17cms of rainfall over the last 24 hours, and 22 locations across the state have witnessed 7-11cms of rainfall.&nbsp;&nbsp;The rainfall warning for several districts across Tamil Nadu spans from 21st&nbsp;October, Tuesday to 24th&nbsp;October, Friday. The most intense spells of rainfall are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the forecast indicates there could be&nbsp;7-21cms or more rainfall during a 24-hour period in several districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Owing to the evolving weather system, fishermen have been advised to not venture out at sea through this week, as winds would be gusting at 55-70kmph along the Tamil Nadu coast and the South Andhra Pradesh coast. Fishermen who are out at sea have also been advised to return to shores.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the well-marked low pressure area off India's southwest coast is likely to intensify into a depression by Wednesday. Owing to this, rough sea conditions and gusty winds are to prevail along the Kerala-Karnataka coasts, through this week. Fishermen in that region have also been advised not to venture out.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is on Thursday, 16th&nbsp;October that the IMD announced the start of Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity over India's Southeastern coastal region including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry &amp; Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Southwestern regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe.&nbsp;Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of southeastern coast of India, in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry.&nbsp;&nbsp;The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December.&nbsp;The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.&nbsp;

In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Low Pressure area off India's southeast coast has intensified into a well-marked low pressure area on Tuesday, 21st October. By Wednesday afternoon, it s expected to further intensify into a depression off the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts, and is likely to intensify further into a deep depression in the subsequent 24hours. Owing to this weather system, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast for large parts of coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and adjoining districts. In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brings moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds. Already, locations in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district have recorded upto 17cms of rainfall over the last 24 hours, and 22 locations across the state have witnessed 7-11cms of rainfall. The rainfall warning for several districts across Tamil Nadu spans from 21st October, Tuesday to 24th October, Friday. The most intense spells of rainfall are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the forecast indicates there could be 7-21cms or more rainfall during a 24-hour period in several districts. Owing to the evolving weather system, fishermen have been advised to not venture out at sea through this week, as winds would be gusting at 55-70kmph along the Tamil Nadu coast and the South Andhra Pradesh coast. Fishermen who are out at sea have also been advised to return to shores. Meanwhile, the well-marked low pressure area off India's southwest coast is likely to intensify into a depression by Wednesday. Owing to this, rough sea conditions and gusty winds are to prevail along the Kerala-Karnataka coasts, through this week. Fishermen in that region have also been advised not to venture out. It is on Thursday, 16th October that the IMD announced the start of Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity over India's Southeastern coastal region including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Southwestern regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe. Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of southeastern coast of India, in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry. The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December. The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies.

Weather system in Bay of Bengal to intensify, heavy-very heavy rainfall warning issued

Delhi has claimed the title of the world’s most polluted city, according to a recent report by Swiss air quality firm IQAir. Along with the Indian capital, two other cities from India—Mumbai and Kolkata—also feature in the top 10 most polluted cities globally. Mumbai ranks 5th, while Kolkata comes in at 8th. This worrying data places India at the center of the global air pollution crisis, but it’s not just Indian cities facing this problem. Two Pakistani cities—Lahore and Karachi—also make the list, occupying the 2nd and 4th spots, respectively.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-operation-sindoor-marks-india-s-strength-and-resilience-says-pm-modi-in-diwali-letter-1761028872913">'Operation Sindoor marks India’s strength and resilience', says PM Modi in Diwali letter</a>&nbsp;As Diwali celebrations continued across Delhi-NCR, the capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Tuesday (October 21) morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category, reaching an alarming 451—almost double the national safety threshold. Several parts of Delhi, including Noida and Gurgaon, recorded AQI levels of 407 and 402, respectively, while the majority of monitoring stations indicated 'red zone' conditions, marking the air as ‘very poor’ or worse. The pollution levels worsened overnight, following the Diwali festivities, which had already seen air quality deteriorate to the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Punjabi Bagh topped the charts with an AQI of 999, the highest possible reading, while Narayana registered 611. Other hotspots like Rohini and Anand Vihar reached 500, with Central Delhi seeing 409, and Noida at 392.&nbsp;The timing of this report coincides with the aftermath of Diwali, when firecracker use significantly worsens air quality across India. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the sale of "green crackers" between October 18 and 21, many ignored the prescribed timing limits, which led to further pollution spikes. The court had set specific windows (6-7 pm and 8-10 pm) for firecracker use, but celebrations stretched beyond these hours.&nbsp;In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a ‘very poor’ 350 on Tuesday, with some areas, such as Bawana and Jahangirpuri, reaching ‘severe’ levels (AQI over 401). The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, where anything above 300 is categorised as hazardous to health. This data highlights the urgent need for stricter pollution control measures and greater public awareness of the environmental and health impacts of firecrackers.

Delhi tops list as world's most polluted city; Mumbai, Kolkata, Lahore, and Karachi make top 10

Delhi has claimed the title of the world’s most polluted city, according to a recent report by Swiss air quality firm IQAir. Along with the Indian capital, two other cities from India—Mumbai and Kolkata—also feature in the top 10 most polluted cities globally. Mumbai ranks 5th, while Kolkata comes in at 8th. This worrying data places India at the center of the global air pollution crisis, but it’s not just Indian cities facing this problem. Two Pakistani cities—Lahore and Karachi—also make the list, occupying the 2nd and 4th spots, respectively. Also Read: 'Operation Sindoor marks India’s strength and resilience', says PM Modi in Diwali letter As Diwali celebrations continued across Delhi-NCR, the capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Tuesday (October 21) morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category, reaching an alarming 451—almost double the national safety threshold. Several parts of Delhi, including Noida and Gurgaon, recorded AQI levels of 407 and 402, respectively, while the majority of monitoring stations indicated 'red zone' conditions, marking the air as ‘very poor’ or worse. The pollution levels worsened overnight, following the Diwali festivities, which had already seen air quality deteriorate to the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Punjabi Bagh topped the charts with an AQI of 999, the highest possible reading, while Narayana registered 611. Other hotspots like Rohini and Anand Vihar reached 500, with Central Delhi seeing 409, and Noida at 392. The timing of this report coincides with the aftermath of Diwali, when firecracker use significantly worsens air quality across India. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the sale of "green crackers" between October 18 and 21, many ignored the prescribed timing limits, which led to further pollution spikes. The court had set specific windows (6-7 pm and 8-10 pm) for firecracker use, but celebrations stretched beyond these hours. In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a ‘very poor’ 350 on Tuesday, with some areas, such as Bawana and Jahangirpuri, reaching ‘severe’ levels (AQI over 401). The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, where anything above 300 is categorised as hazardous to health. This data highlights the urgent need for stricter pollution control measures and greater public awareness of the environmental and health impacts of firecrackers.

Delhi is the most polluted city globally, with Mumbai and Kolkata also in the top 10. Diwali firecrackers worsen air quality, pushing AQI to hazardous levels

In his special Diwali address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended festive wishes to the people of India while reflecting on the country's journey of development and unity. He emphasised the festival’s deeper symbolism of light, hope, and shared strength, encouraging citizens to continue working towards India’s progress. He highlighted notable achievements such as the dismantling of Naxal influence in several regions and the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Modi urged the public to actively contribute to building a prosperous, self-reliant India, or an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” and a developed nation, or 'Viksit Bharat'.&nbsp;The Prime Minister called for greater support for indigenous products, a focus on cleanliness, the adoption of yoga, and the promotion of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India). He emphasised that even small individual efforts could help guide the nation toward becoming a global model of stability and advancement.<h2>PM Modi's letter on Diwali</h2>Dear fellow citizen,I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali, a festival filled with energy and enthusiasm. This is the second Deepavali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor. During Operation Sindoor, Bharat not only upheld righteousness but also avenged injustice.&nbsp;This Deepavali is particularly special because, for the first time, lamps will be lit in many districts across the country, including remote areas. These are the districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated from the root. In recent times, we have seen many individuals abandoning the path of violence and joining the mainstream of development, expressing faith in the Constitution of our country. This is a major achievement for the nation.Amid these historic achievements, the country has also embarked on next-generation reforms in recent days. On the first day of Navratri, lower GST rates were implemented. During this "GST Bachat Utsav” (Savings Festival), citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees.&nbsp;In a world going through multiple crises, Bharat has emerged as a symbol of stability and sensitivity. We are also on track to become the third-largest economy in the world in the near future. In this journey of a “Viksit” (Developed) and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), our primary responsibility as citizens is to fulfill our duties towards the nation.&nbsp;Let us adopt “Swadeshi” (local products) and proudly say: "This is Swadeshi!" Let us promote the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. Let us respect all languages. Let us maintain cleanliness. Let us prioritize our health. Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10% and embrace Yoga. All these efforts will rapidly move us towards a “Viksit Bharat”.Deepavali also teaches us that when one lamp lights another, its light doesn't diminish, but it grows further. With the same spirit, let us light lamps of harmony, cooperation and positivity in our society and surroundings this Deepavali.Once again, wishing you all a very Happy Deepavali.

'Operation Sindoor marks India’s strength and resilience', says PM Modi in Diwali letter

In his special Diwali address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended festive wishes to the people of India while reflecting on the country's journey of development and unity. He emphasised the festival’s deeper symbolism of light, hope, and shared strength, encouraging citizens to continue working towards India’s progress. He highlighted notable achievements such as the dismantling of Naxal influence in several regions and the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Modi urged the public to actively contribute to building a prosperous, self-reliant India, or an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” and a developed nation, or 'Viksit Bharat'. The Prime Minister called for greater support for indigenous products, a focus on cleanliness, the adoption of yoga, and the promotion of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India). He emphasised that even small individual efforts could help guide the nation toward becoming a global model of stability and advancement. PM Modi's letter on Diwali Dear fellow citizen, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali, a festival filled with energy and enthusiasm. This is the second Deepavali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor. During Operation Sindoor, Bharat not only upheld righteousness but also avenged injustice. This Deepavali is particularly special because, for the first time, lamps will be lit in many districts across the country, including remote areas. These are the districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated from the root. In recent times, we have seen many individuals abandoning the path of violence and joining the mainstream of development, expressing faith in the Constitution of our country. This is a major achievement for the nation. Amid these historic achievements, the country has also embarked on next-generation reforms in recent days. On the first day of Navratri, lower GST rates were implemented. During this "GST Bachat Utsav” (Savings Festival), citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees. In a world going through multiple crises, Bharat has emerged as a symbol of stability and sensitivity. We are also on track to become the third-largest economy in the world in the near future. In this journey of a “Viksit” (Developed) and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), our primary responsibility as citizens is to fulfill our duties towards the nation. Let us adopt “Swadeshi” (local products) and proudly say: "This is Swadeshi!" Let us promote the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. Let us respect all languages. Let us maintain cleanliness. Let us prioritize our health. Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10% and embrace Yoga. All these efforts will rapidly move us towards a “Viksit Bharat”. Deepavali also teaches us that when one lamp lights another, its light doesn't diminish, but it grows further. With the same spirit, let us light lamps of harmony, cooperation and positivity in our society and surroundings this Deepavali. Once again, wishing you all a very Happy Deepavali.

PM Modi's Diwali message celebrated India’s achievements, urging citizens to embrace unity, self-reliance, and collective efforts toward a prosperous future

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gave the world a stunning view of Diwali from space, sharing a video that shows India aglow with festival lights from hundreds of kilometres above Earth. The clip, posted on X (formerly Twitter), on Monday (Oct 20) quickly went viral, captivating millions with its cosmic perspective of the festival of lights. Check it out here.<h2>India a 'jewel'</h2>Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Diwali shared an "out of this world" video of India as it looks from the space. It was captured from the space station’s observation module during Shukla's 18-day orbital mission earlier this year. The video sweeps across the subcontinent from southwest to northeast.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diwali-fires-keep-delhi-firefighters-busy-over-170-fire-incidents-including-2-major-factory-fires-reported-1761012585475">Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires</a>The video shows Indian cities sparkling like constellations, with major cities including Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and New Delhi appearing. Shukla described the sight poetically: "Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being."The video isn’t just a celebration of human lights. Nature also makes a cameo. Flashes of lightning over the Bay of Bengal and central India, which Shukla described as “purple flares,” also made a spectacular appearance in the video: "Nature's own pyrotechnics reminding you who the original artist of light truly is".Watch it here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being. The peninsula glows like a jewel. To the left, Pune sparkles; below, Bengaluru… <a href="https://t.co/ZWfwWFlz9R">pic.twitter.com/ZWfwWFlz9R</a>&mdash; Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan_shux) <a href="https://twitter.com/gagan_shux/status/1980199141193253078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As the spacecraft drifts northward, the scene changes. Bright city lights give way to the dark silhouettes of the Himalayas, followed by the ethereal spectacle of an orbital sunrise casting soft blue hues across the upper atmosphere. "The Himalayas emerge — a silent, solemn silhouette against the void. And just beyond, a soft blue whisper of light rises — the orbital sunrise."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ins-vikrant-sent-shockwaves-across-pakistan-made-sure-they-don-t-sleep-at-night-pm-modi-celebrates-diwali-with-soldiers-1760943779241">INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers</a>"Up there, watching this grand spectacle unfold, you can’t help but smile," said Shukla, adding "This isn’t just Diwali on Earth — it’s Diwali of Earth. The festival of lights, written across an entire nation, glowing proudly on a cosmic stage." For viewers the video offered a rare, unifying perspective — a reminder of the beauty and scale of Diwali, and the shared wonder of seeing it from beyond the skies.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared a viral Diwali video, showing India aglow from space. The spectacular video was captured from the space station and offers a “living galaxy” view of the subcontinent. Watch it here.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gave the world a stunning view of Diwali from space, sharing a video that shows India aglow with festival lights from hundreds of kilometres above Earth. The clip, posted on X (formerly Twitter), on Monday (Oct 20) quickly went viral, captivating millions with its cosmic perspective of the festival of lights. Check it out here. India a 'jewel' Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Diwali shared an "out of this world" video of India as it looks from the space. It was captured from the space station’s observation module during Shukla's 18-day orbital mission earlier this year. The video sweeps across the subcontinent from southwest to northeast. Also read | Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires The video shows Indian cities sparkling like constellations, with major cities including Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and New Delhi appearing. Shukla described the sight poetically: "Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being." The video isn’t just a celebration of human lights. Nature also makes a cameo. Flashes of lightning over the Bay of Bengal and central India, which Shukla described as “purple flares,” also made a spectacular appearance in the video: "Nature's own pyrotechnics reminding you who the original artist of light truly is". Watch it here:

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared a viral Diwali video, showing India aglow from space. The spectacular video was captured from the space station and offers a “living galaxy” view of the subcontinent. Watch it here.

'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video

As Diwali celebrations continued across Delhi-NCR, the capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Tuesday (October 21) morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category, reaching an alarming 451—almost double the national safety threshold. Several parts of Delhi, including Noida and Gurgaon, recorded AQI levels of 407 and 402, respectively, while the majority of monitoring stations indicated 'red zone' conditions, marking the air as ‘very poor’ or worse. The pollution levels worsened overnight, following the Diwali festivities, which had already seen air quality deteriorate to the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Punjabi Bagh topped the charts with an AQI of 999, the highest possible reading, while Narayana registered 611. Other hotspots like Rohini and Anand Vihar reached 500, with Central Delhi seeing 409, and Noida at 392.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diwali-fires-keep-delhi-firefighters-busy-over-170-fire-incidents-including-2-major-factory-fires-reported-1761012585475">Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires</a>&nbsp;The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted partly cloudy skies for the morning, but the air quality remained dangerously unhealthy. Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) indicated that vehicles contributed to about 15.6% of the pollution, with industries and other local sources accounting for 23.3%. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes banning dust-producing construction activities, limiting diesel generator use, and enhancing road cleaning. If pollution levels continue to rise, Stage III could be triggered, imposing even stricter measures.&nbsp;Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had allowed green firecrackers for a limited time, from 6-7 am and 8-10 pm on Diwali night. However, the aftermath suggests these restrictions weren’t fully enforced, as 36 out of 38 monitoring stations reported ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality levels. The AQI scale measures air quality as follows: 0-50 (Good), 51-100 (Satisfactory), 101-200 (Moderate), 201-300 (Poor), 301-400 (Very Poor), and 401-500 (Severe).

'Severe' Air quality hits Delhi-NCR after Diwali, AQI soars to record highs

As Diwali celebrations continued across Delhi-NCR, the capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Tuesday (October 21) morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category, reaching an alarming 451—almost double the national safety threshold. Several parts of Delhi, including Noida and Gurgaon, recorded AQI levels of 407 and 402, respectively, while the majority of monitoring stations indicated 'red zone' conditions, marking the air as ‘very poor’ or worse. The pollution levels worsened overnight, following the Diwali festivities, which had already seen air quality deteriorate to the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Punjabi Bagh topped the charts with an AQI of 999, the highest possible reading, while Narayana registered 611. Other hotspots like Rohini and Anand Vihar reached 500, with Central Delhi seeing 409, and Noida at 392. Also Read: Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted partly cloudy skies for the morning, but the air quality remained dangerously unhealthy. Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) indicated that vehicles contributed to about 15.6% of the pollution, with industries and other local sources accounting for 23.3%. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes banning dust-producing construction activities, limiting diesel generator use, and enhancing road cleaning. If pollution levels continue to rise, Stage III could be triggered, imposing even stricter measures. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had allowed green firecrackers for a limited time, from 6-7 am and 8-10 pm on Diwali night. However, the aftermath suggests these restrictions weren’t fully enforced, as 36 out of 38 monitoring stations reported ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality levels. The AQI scale measures air quality as follows: 0-50 (Good), 51-100 (Satisfactory), 101-200 (Moderate), 201-300 (Poor), 301-400 (Very Poor), and 401-500 (Severe).

Delhi's AQI hits 'severe' levels, with several areas of the national capital recording extreme pollution post-Diwali. Measures under stage 2 of GRAP enforced

Delhi Fire Services were flooded with emergency calls on Monday (Oct 20) night as Diwali celebrations lit up the capital — quite literally. By 6:00 AM (Tuesday, Oct 21), officials said they had received more than 400 fire-related calls, and the number was still climbing as reports from across the city poured in. Here's all you need to know.<h2>Diwali celebrations set Delhi on fire</h2>As per an ANI report, on Diwali night, the Delhi Fire Services received over 400 reports of fire. While the fire services earlier said it received 170 calls till 11:30 PM (Oct 20), by 6:00 AM the next day this number grew to over 400. Most of these incidents, as per the report, were thankfully minor. However, two major factory fires in the Narela industrial area kept firefighters on their toes late into the night.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ins-vikrant-sent-shockwaves-across-pakistan-made-sure-they-don-t-sleep-at-night-pm-modi-celebrates-diwali-with-soldiers-1760943779241">INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers</a>One of the blazes broke out at a shoe manufacturing unit in the DSIIDC Industrial Area of Narela. Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot as thick black smoke covered the building.Not long after, another fire erupted at a cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Phase 2 — just a few kilometres away. This second fire was more intense, prompting the deployment of 26 fire tenders."Delhi Fire Service received a call regarding the fire incident at the cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area Phase 2 in Narela. 26 fire tenders are present at the spot. The fire has been controlled..." said Fire Officer SK Dua.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-aqi-on-diwali-very-poor-334-after-supreme-court-allows-bursting-firecrackers-1760966712151">Delhi AQI plummets to 'very poor' on Diwali, further dip in air quality expected</a><h2>Diwali fires and Delhi</h2>Every year, the national capital sees a spike in fire incidents during Diwali despite restrictions on fireworks. Last year, the Indian national capital saw 318 fire-related incidents being reported on Diwali night. This, as per a New Indian Express report, was the highest number of fires in 13 years. This year’s numbers are still coming in, and a final count will be released after all reports are compiled.

On Diwali night, Delhi Fire Services received over 400 fire-related calls, including major blazes at a shoe factory in DSIIDC Narela and a cardboard factory in Bhorgarh. Here's all you need to know.

Delhi Fire Services were flooded with emergency calls on Monday (Oct 20) night as Diwali celebrations lit up the capital — quite literally. By 6:00 AM (Tuesday, Oct 21), officials said they had received more than 400 fire-related calls, and the number was still climbing as reports from across the city poured in. Here's all you need to know. Diwali celebrations set Delhi on fire As per an ANI report, on Diwali night, the Delhi Fire Services received over 400 reports of fire. While the fire services earlier said it received 170 calls till 11:30 PM (Oct 20), by 6:00 AM the next day this number grew to over 400. Most of these incidents, as per the report, were thankfully minor. However, two major factory fires in the Narela industrial area kept firefighters on their toes late into the night. Also read | INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers One of the blazes broke out at a shoe manufacturing unit in the DSIIDC Industrial Area of Narela. Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot as thick black smoke covered the building. Not long after, another fire erupted at a cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Phase 2 — just a few kilometres away. This second fire was more intense, prompting the deployment of 26 fire tenders. "Delhi Fire Service received a call regarding the fire incident at the cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area Phase 2 in Narela. 26 fire tenders are present at the spot. The fire has been controlled..." said Fire Officer SK Dua. Also read | Delhi AQI plummets to 'very poor' on Diwali, further dip in air quality expected Diwali fires and Delhi Every year, the national capital sees a spike in fire incidents during Diwali despite restrictions on fireworks. Last year, the Indian national capital saw 318 fire-related incidents being reported on Diwali night. This, as per a New Indian Express report, was the highest number of fires in 13 years. This year’s numbers are still coming in, and a final count will be released after all reports are compiled.

On Diwali night, Delhi Fire Services received over 400 fire-related calls, including major blazes at a shoe factory in DSIIDC Narela and a cardboard factory in Bhorgarh. Here's all you need to know.

Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires

As India celebrates Diwali on Monday (Oct 20), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his wishes on the festival of lights for the Hindu population of his country. “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali, may this festival dispel darkness, foster harmony, and guide us all toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity,” Sharif wrote on X.&nbsp;“The spirit of Diwali that embodies light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair inspires our collective resolve to overcome the challenges confronting our societies, from intolerance to inequality,” he added.&nbsp;Also, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on the occasion that the festival of Diwali “reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil”.&nbsp;As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country's constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens. &nbsp;

As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens.

As India celebrates Diwali on Monday (Oct 20), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his wishes on the festival of lights for the Hindu population of his country. “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali, may this festival dispel darkness, foster harmony, and guide us all toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity,” Sharif wrote on X. “The spirit of Diwali that embodies light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair inspires our collective resolve to overcome the challenges confronting our societies, from intolerance to inequality,” he added. Also, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on the occasion that the festival of Diwali “reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil”. As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country's constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens.

As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country's constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens.

‘May this festival...’: Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif extends Diwali message. Here’s what he said

Delhi and the adjacent areas saw a dip in the air quality on the day of festival of Diwali (Oct 20). The city, which has been allowed by the Supreme Court for burst firecracker for the first time in years, woke up to a blanket of smog. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which has 38 sensors throughout the city, 31 showed air quality as 'very poor' while three were in 'severe' category. Most of the areas showed the air quality index (AQI) at more than 300 which is considered very poor. Overall, the AQI in the city was 334 in the afternoon as per the official CPCB data.&nbsp;<h2>Which areas in Delhi are the most polluted?</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>The three areas where the CPCB sensors showed air quality as 'severe' were Anand Vihar (402), Wazirpur (423), and Ashok Vihar (414). The index is likely to drop further on the next two days, i.e Tuesday (Oct 21) and Wednesday (Oct 22). This comes even as Supreme Court has only allowed sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi on this Diwali that too with certain restrictions.&nbsp;As per the guidelines of the apex court, only green firecrackers are allowed to burst on the day of Diwali (Oct 20) and a day before (Oct 29) between morning 6 am to 7 am and evening 8 pm to 10 pm. The air quality is expected to take a severe dip on the following day of the Diwali.&nbsp;As per the standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe.'&nbsp;<h2>What is Delhi government doing to curb pollution?</h2>&nbsp;The state government has already put in Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) II in place to tackle the pollution. It involves usage of water sprinklers and daily mechanical or vacuum sweeping on identified roads and areas to control dust. Earlier, the Delhi Government has also confirmed readiness for cloud seeding in the days following Diwali to washout the polluting particles.

Most of the areas showed the air quality index (AQI) at more than 300 which is considered very poor. Overall, the AQI in the city was 334 in the afternoon as per the official CPCB data.

Delhi and the adjacent areas saw a dip in the air quality on the day of festival of Diwali (Oct 20). The city, which has been allowed by the Supreme Court for burst firecracker for the first time in years, woke up to a blanket of smog. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which has 38 sensors throughout the city, 31 showed air quality as 'very poor' while three were in 'severe' category. Most of the areas showed the air quality index (AQI) at more than 300 which is considered very poor. Overall, the AQI in the city was 334 in the afternoon as per the official CPCB data. Which areas in Delhi are the most polluted? The three areas where the CPCB sensors showed air quality as 'severe' were Anand Vihar (402), Wazirpur (423), and Ashok Vihar (414). The index is likely to drop further on the next two days, i.e Tuesday (Oct 21) and Wednesday (Oct 22). This comes even as Supreme Court has only allowed sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi on this Diwali that too with certain restrictions. As per the guidelines of the apex court, only green firecrackers are allowed to burst on the day of Diwali (Oct 20) and a day before (Oct 29) between morning 6 am to 7 am and evening 8 pm to 10 pm. The air quality is expected to take a severe dip on the following day of the Diwali. As per the standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe.' What is Delhi government doing to curb pollution? The state government has already put in Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) II in place to tackle the pollution. It involves usage of water sprinklers and daily mechanical or vacuum sweeping on identified roads and areas to control dust. Earlier, the Delhi Government has also confirmed readiness for cloud seeding in the days following Diwali to washout the polluting particles.

Most of the areas showed the air quality index (AQI) at more than 300 which is considered very poor. Overall, the AQI in the city was 334 in the afternoon as per the official CPCB data.

Delhi AQI plummets to 'very poor' on Diwali to further dip in air quality expected in next two days

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni led a demonstration and “purification” ritual at the Shaniwarwada fort of Pune, Maharashtra, on Sunday after a group of Muslim women offered namaz at the fort. Her move has attracted political backlash from Opposition parties, accusing her of attempting to polarise voters before local civic polls.&nbsp;The protest, which Kulkarni led, was organised by the Patit Pavan Sanghatna and other Hindu outfits. Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and also performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz, according to a report by The Indian Express.&nbsp;Before the protest, Kulkarni said in a post on social media platform X, “We will not allow ‘namaz’ in Shaniwarwada, the Hindu community has now become awakened…Chalo Shaniwarwada.” Speaking to The Indian Express, MP Medha Kulkarni said, “We performed Shiv Vandana and did purification of the spot where the namaz was offered…To protest against the incident and to ensure that Pune’s social harmony is not disturbed, the Sakal Hindu Samaj organised a protest and demanded police action in this matter.”&nbsp;When she was questioned whether the spot had become “impure” after performing prayers, she responded, “Shaniwarwada is an ASI protected historical monument. It is a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj set up by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We cannot allow anyone to offer namaz here. It is not a mosque.” She also referred the spot an “illegal religious structure” outside the fort. “If one wants to offer namaz in this manner, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform ‘aarti’ in masjids or in Taj Mahal,” she said.<h3>Opposition lashes out at BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni</h3>In response to the protest and purification ritual, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lashed out at the BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni over her actions.&nbsp;“Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwarwada, after which some BJP members went there and ‘purified’ the spot with cow urine. These people should remember that even Mastani had stayed in Shaniwarwada. Kulkarni probably is not aware that Peshwe ‘sardars’ removed the flag of Hindavi Swaraj atop the Shaniwarwada and hoisted the Union Jack,” said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, The Indian Express reported.&nbsp;Objecting to the remarks of Kulkarni about the dargah near the site, Sawant also questioned, “When the Peshwas had no problem, what is her problem? What will she do with the air that touches the ‘dargah’ and then reaches her…Is she going to purify her nose as well?”&nbsp;Pune Congress chief Arvind Shinde announced that the party would soon stage a protest against the MP. “Ahead of the civic elections, this is nothing but an attempt to polarise the Hindu voters. BJP raises such issues deliberately ahead of elections. BJP wants people to react to such issues and galvanise Hindu voters,” Shinde added.&nbsp;He further added that the dargah located outside Shaniwarwada has been there “since the Peshwa era” and holds approval from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This incident unfolded days after Kulkarni halted a noisy Navratra event in Pune’s Kothrud area, an episode which also sparked public debate.

Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters also cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni led a demonstration and “purification” ritual at the Shaniwarwada fort of Pune, Maharashtra, on Sunday after a group of Muslim women offered namaz at the fort. Her move has attracted political backlash from Opposition parties, accusing her of attempting to polarise voters before local civic polls. The protest, which Kulkarni led, was organised by the Patit Pavan Sanghatna and other Hindu outfits. Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and also performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz, according to a report by The Indian Express. Before the protest, Kulkarni said in a post on social media platform X, “We will not allow ‘namaz’ in Shaniwarwada, the Hindu community has now become awakened…Chalo Shaniwarwada.” Speaking to The Indian Express, MP Medha Kulkarni said, “We performed Shiv Vandana and did purification of the spot where the namaz was offered…To protest against the incident and to ensure that Pune’s social harmony is not disturbed, the Sakal Hindu Samaj organised a protest and demanded police action in this matter.” When she was questioned whether the spot had become “impure” after performing prayers, she responded, “Shaniwarwada is an ASI protected historical monument. It is a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj set up by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We cannot allow anyone to offer namaz here. It is not a mosque.” She also referred the spot an “illegal religious structure” outside the fort. “If one wants to offer namaz in this manner, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform ‘aarti’ in masjids or in Taj Mahal,” she said. Opposition lashes out at BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni In response to the protest and purification ritual, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lashed out at the BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni over her actions. “Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwarwada, after which some BJP members went there and ‘purified’ the spot with cow urine. These people should remember that even Mastani had stayed in Shaniwarwada. Kulkarni probably is not aware that Peshwe ‘sardars’ removed the flag of Hindavi Swaraj atop the Shaniwarwada and hoisted the Union Jack,” said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, The Indian Express reported. Objecting to the remarks of Kulkarni about the dargah near the site, Sawant also questioned, “When the Peshwas had no problem, what is her problem? What will she do with the air that touches the ‘dargah’ and then reaches her…Is she going to purify her nose as well?” Pune Congress chief Arvind Shinde announced that the party would soon stage a protest against the MP. “Ahead of the civic elections, this is nothing but an attempt to polarise the Hindu voters. BJP raises such issues deliberately ahead of elections. BJP wants people to react to such issues and galvanise Hindu voters,” Shinde added. He further added that the dargah located outside Shaniwarwada has been there “since the Peshwa era” and holds approval from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This incident unfolded days after Kulkarni halted a noisy Navratra event in Pune’s Kothrud area, an episode which also sparked public debate.

Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters also cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz.

BJP's Medha Kulkarni ‘purifies’ spot at Pune’s Shaniwarwada fort where women offer namaz, calls it ‘not a mosque’

An Ola Electric employee died by suicide on September 28 and now that company officials, including CEO Bhavish Aggarwal for face an abetment of suicide case against them. The case pertains to the death of K Aravind, who was associated with the company since 2022, and consumed poison on September 28 at his home in Bengaluru. He was taken to the hospital where he later on succumbed to death. The police initially filed the case under Unnatural Death Report (UDR) but then a suicide note was found accusing Aggarwal and Subrata Kumar Das as well as the company itself.&nbsp;<h2>How did police find the suicide note?</h2>&nbsp;Two days after Aravind's death, a sum of INR 17.46 lakh (1.7 million INR) was deposited into his bank account by the company. It raised questions and upon receiving unsatisfactory response from the company, the police conducted a search of Aravind's room, police found a 28-pade long suicide letter in which he had accused Aggarwal, Das and the company of mental harassment, work pressure, and non payment of salary as reason for his drastic step.&nbsp;Post finding the note, Aravind's family filed a case and the police registered it under BNSS Section 108 read with 3(5) at the city's Subramanyapura Police Station. The FIR has named Subrata Kumar Das, Bhavish Aggarwal and Ola Electric Company as accused with investigation underway in the case.<h2>What did the company say?</h2>&nbsp;The company has issued a statement on Monday (Oct 20) and informed about challenging the FIR before Karnataka High Court.&nbsp;"Aravind had not raised any complaint or grievance regarding this employment or any harassment. His role also did not involve any direct interaction with the company's top management, including the promoter," the statement said.&nbsp;"We have challenged the registration of the FIR before the Honble Karnataka High Court and protective orders have been passed in favor of Ola Electric and its officials," it added.The company also said that the money was transferred as means to provide immediate support to the family and that it "committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace for all employees."

Ola Electric has issued a statement on Monday (Oct 20) and informed about challenging the FIR before Karnataka High Court.

An Ola Electric employee died by suicide on September 28 and now that company officials, including CEO Bhavish Aggarwal for face an abetment of suicide case against them. The case pertains to the death of K Aravind, who was associated with the company since 2022, and consumed poison on September 28 at his home in Bengaluru. He was taken to the hospital where he later on succumbed to death. The police initially filed the case under Unnatural Death Report (UDR) but then a suicide note was found accusing Aggarwal and Subrata Kumar Das as well as the company itself. How did police find the suicide note? Two days after Aravind's death, a sum of INR 17.46 lakh (1.7 million INR) was deposited into his bank account by the company. It raised questions and upon receiving unsatisfactory response from the company, the police conducted a search of Aravind's room, police found a 28-pade long suicide letter in which he had accused Aggarwal, Das and the company of mental harassment, work pressure, and non payment of salary as reason for his drastic step. Post finding the note, Aravind's family filed a case and the police registered it under BNSS Section 108 read with 3(5) at the city's Subramanyapura Police Station. The FIR has named Subrata Kumar Das, Bhavish Aggarwal and Ola Electric Company as accused with investigation underway in the case. What did the company say? The company has issued a statement on Monday (Oct 20) and informed about challenging the FIR before Karnataka High Court. "Aravind had not raised any complaint or grievance regarding this employment or any harassment. His role also did not involve any direct interaction with the company's top management, including the promoter," the statement said. "We have challenged the registration of the FIR before the Honble Karnataka High Court and protective orders have been passed in favor of Ola Electric and its officials," it added. The company also said that the money was transferred as means to provide immediate support to the family and that it "committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace for all employees."

Ola Electric has issued a statement on Monday (Oct 20) and informed about challenging the FIR before Karnataka High Court.

Ola Electric employee dies by suicide, CEO Bhavish Aggarwal accused of 'mental harassment' in suicide note

India's one of the most politically active states, Bihar, is all set to go to the polls in early November. Amid the chaos of elections, political leaders of key parties have made bold promises to appease the voters. This time, three big faces are leading the before poll attention in the state, and even the whole country: Current chief minister Nitish Kumar, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Jan Suraj party founder Prashant Kishore.Let's have a look at the poll promises these leaders have made to get chosen by Bihar voters.&nbsp;1. Nitish Kumar: Welfare expansion&nbsp;Nitish Kumar, the veteran leader, is heavily banking on his welfare politics this time, which he has tried and tested multiple times before as well. Kumar has assured that he would improve the protection for marginalised communities, women, and jobless youth.&nbsp;In July this year, Kumar increased the pensions of widows, the elderly, and the disabled to ₹1,100 a month. Kumar has promised to give women entrepreneurs an initial amount of ₹10,000 and later ₹2 lakh in the second phase. This will be done under Mukhayamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna.&nbsp;2. Tejashwi Yadava: Employment RJD's Tejashwi Yadav has promised employment to the voters. He has announced that his government would enact a "Special Employmenet Act" just in 20 days after taking office. Under this, one government job will be given to each family in Bihar within 20 months.&nbsp;3. Prashant Kishor: No alcohol ban&nbsp;Prashant Kishor made a huge poll promise to revoke the alcohol ban in the dry state. Kishor's party announced that if it comes to power, it will lift the ban, which, Kishor claimed, could unlock substantial financial resources for the state. The party claimed that due to the liquor ban in Bihar, the state lost nearly ₹28,000 crore. Kishor's party said the money could be used to secure loans worth ₹5–6 lakh crore from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).&nbsp;Making the bold promise, Kishor said he will revoke the liquor ban within an hour if his party forms the next government in Bihar.&nbsp;"The liquor ban will be lifted within an hour once we come to power. There is no real liquor ban in Bihar. There is a law in place that has shut down liquor shops and started home delivery,” said Kishor earlier.

In July this year, Kumar increased the pensions of widows, the elderly, and the disabled to ₹1,100 a month. Kumar has promised to give women entrepreneurs an initial amount of ₹10,000 and later ₹2 lakh in the second phase. 

India's one of the most politically active states, Bihar, is all set to go to the polls in early November. Amid the chaos of elections, political leaders of key parties have made bold promises to appease the voters. This time, three big faces are leading the before poll attention in the state, and even the whole country: Current chief minister Nitish Kumar, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Jan Suraj party founder Prashant Kishore. Let's have a look at the poll promises these leaders have made to get chosen by Bihar voters. 1. Nitish Kumar: Welfare expansion Nitish Kumar, the veteran leader, is heavily banking on his welfare politics this time, which he has tried and tested multiple times before as well. Kumar has assured that he would improve the protection for marginalised communities, women, and jobless youth. In July this year, Kumar increased the pensions of widows, the elderly, and the disabled to ₹1,100 a month. Kumar has promised to give women entrepreneurs an initial amount of ₹10,000 and later ₹2 lakh in the second phase. This will be done under Mukhayamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna. 2. Tejashwi Yadava: Employment RJD's Tejashwi Yadav has promised employment to the voters. He has announced that his government would enact a "Special Employmenet Act" just in 20 days after taking office. Under this, one government job will be given to each family in Bihar within 20 months. 3. Prashant Kishor: No alcohol ban Prashant Kishor made a huge poll promise to revoke the alcohol ban in the dry state. Kishor's party announced that if it comes to power, it will lift the ban, which, Kishor claimed, could unlock substantial financial resources for the state. The party claimed that due to the liquor ban in Bihar, the state lost nearly ₹28,000 crore. Kishor's party said the money could be used to secure loans worth ₹5–6 lakh crore from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Making the bold promise, Kishor said he will revoke the liquor ban within an hour if his party forms the next government in Bihar. "The liquor ban will be lifted within an hour once we come to power. There is no real liquor ban in Bihar. There is a law in place that has shut down liquor shops and started home delivery,” said Kishor earlier.

In July this year, Kumar increased the pensions of widows, the elderly, and the disabled to ₹1,100 a month. Kumar has promised to give women entrepreneurs an initial amount of ₹10,000 and later ₹2 lakh in the second phase.&nbsp;

Bihar election 2025: List of poll promises by three major parties

Less than a week after the onset of the Northeast monsoon, there are two weather systems brewing off the Indian Southwest coast and the Southeast coast. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a well marked low pressure area near Lakshadweep area, off India's southwest coast, is likely to intensify into a depression over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, a low pressure area is expected to form off the Indian southeast coast, and intensify into a depression over the next 48hours.In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brins moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds.Owing to these weather systems, wind speeds of upto 55kmph are forecast along the Southeast coast and the Southwest coast until 24th October, Friday. Fishermen have been advised to not venture out along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, the Lakshadweep region, Tamil Nadu Coast, Palk Straits, among others.Through this week, there is a rainfall warning for over a dozen districts across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and adjoining districts. The forecast suggests that there could be very heavy rain (12-20cms in 24 hours) or heavy rain (7-11cms) in multiple districts across Tamil Nadu.The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.&nbsp;

The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. 

Less than a week after the onset of the Northeast monsoon, there are two weather systems brewing off the Indian Southwest coast and the Southeast coast. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a well marked low pressure area near Lakshadweep area, off India's southwest coast, is likely to intensify into a depression over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, a low pressure area is expected to form off the Indian southeast coast, and intensify into a depression over the next 48hours. In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brins moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds. Owing to these weather systems, wind speeds of upto 55kmph are forecast along the Southeast coast and the Southwest coast until 24th October, Friday. Fishermen have been advised to not venture out along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, the Lakshadweep region, Tamil Nadu Coast, Palk Straits, among others. Through this week, there is a rainfall warning for over a dozen districts across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and adjoining districts. The forecast suggests that there could be very heavy rain (12-20cms in 24 hours) or heavy rain (7-11cms) in multiple districts across Tamil Nadu. The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

Weather systems brewing off India's southwest and southeast coast

The implementation of the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) or overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR, which was postponed by the central air quality panel in July, will now come into effect from November 1, 2025. The decision, which affects diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, was deferred after a review by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), sources told PTI.&nbsp;"Direction 89 to be amended. Drive against End-of-Life vehicles in Delhi will now come into force from November 1, along with 5 NCR districts," a CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) official previously told the news agency ANI.&nbsp;The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered.&nbsp;Following the move, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa wrote to the CAQM demanding that it hold off on the action. He labelled the move "premature and potentially counterproductive", and pointed to "operational and infrastructural challenges".<h3>How can overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR be checked?</h3>The ban will be imposed on November 1 across Delhi and five adjoining high-vehicle-density districts, which include Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat.&nbsp;After the CAQM announced its decision, several fuel stations in Delhi had placed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify EOL vehicles. The installed camera scans the number plate and verifies the details of the vehicle, which include fuel type, age, and registration, through the VAHAN database.&nbsp;In this system, if the camera discovers a vehicle to be EOL, it will send an alert to the fuel station staff to deny refuelling. The violation will be captured, and it will be sent to enforcement agencies, who may initiate action like impounding or scrapping the vehicle.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered.

The implementation of the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) or overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR, which was postponed by the central air quality panel in July, will now come into effect from November 1, 2025. The decision, which affects diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, was deferred after a review by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), sources told PTI. "Direction 89 to be amended. Drive against End-of-Life vehicles in Delhi will now come into force from November 1, along with 5 NCR districts," a CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) official previously told the news agency ANI. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered. Following the move, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa wrote to the CAQM demanding that it hold off on the action. He labelled the move "premature and potentially counterproductive", and pointed to "operational and infrastructural challenges". How can overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR be checked? The ban will be imposed on November 1 across Delhi and five adjoining high-vehicle-density districts, which include Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat. After the CAQM announced its decision, several fuel stations in Delhi had placed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify EOL vehicles. The installed camera scans the number plate and verifies the details of the vehicle, which include fuel type, age, and registration, through the VAHAN database. In this system, if the camera discovers a vehicle to be EOL, it will send an alert to the fuel station staff to deny refuelling. The violation will be captured, and it will be sent to enforcement agencies, who may initiate action like impounding or scrapping the vehicle.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered.

Delhi old vehicles ban to be imposed from November 1: All you need to know to avoid having your car scrapped

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Delhi old vehicles ban to be imposed from November 1: All you need to know