Chennai is seeing a notable decline in air quality after Diwali 2026, as pollution levels reach the ‘Very Poor’ category in various parts of the Tamil Nadu capital. As per data published by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) this morning, Valasaravakkam registered the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 343, trailed by Nungambakkam at 332, Sowcarpet at 311 and T. Nagar at 306.
The pollution levels in Chennai after Diwali have now sparked worries about how firecracker emissions and shifting weather conditions affect public health. Extended exposure to polluted air can raise the likelihood of respiratory issues, especially among children, the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions.
Chennai Air Pollution News: What Happened After Diwali?
Air quality in Chennai declined significantly after the Deepavali festivities held on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Many residential and commercial neighbourhoods logged AQI values above 300, which put them in the ‘Very Poor’ category. As per the TNPCB’s Deepavali air-quality survey, covering the 24-hour period that ended at 6 am on November 9, Valasaravakkam was the most polluted of the monitored Chennai locations, recording an AQI of 343.
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The pollution board linked the rise in air pollution and ambient noise levels to firecracker emissions as well as shifting meteorological conditions, such as wind speed, wind direction and atmospheric stability. The results also show that Chennai saw its worst Diwali air quality in three years. Across the state, the average AQI at 39 monitoring locations rose to 168.97 in 2026, up from 161.69 in 2025 and 143.46 in 2024.
Chennai Air Pollution News: List of Affected Areas
The following areas of Chennai have been badly affected by air pollution in the aftermath of Diwali:
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