'My Lungs Aren’t Ready': Man Flees Delhi To Escape Toxic Smog, Shares AQI Drop From 400 To 40 In Singapore

As Delhi continues to choke under layers of smog and polluted air, one resident’s online post on the city's worsening air quality crisis has struck a chord with many. Fed up with the deteriorating air quality triggered

by post-Diwali fireworks and ongoing stubble burning in neighbouring states, Naman Jain decided to call it quits—quite literally—and boarded a flight out of the city.Jain shared two contrasting images that highlighted just how drastic the difference was between Delhi’s “very poor” air and the noticeably cleaner environments abroad. His first photo, showing an aircraft waiting at the gate, was captioned “Bye Delhi”, signalling his escape from the pollution. Shortly after landing in Singapore, he uploaded another picture of the city’s skyline, thanking the country for its significantly better air. With Singapore’s AQI hovering around 40 compared to Delhi’s 350-plus, he wrote, “Hello Singapore, my lungs are definitely not ready for this 400 -> 40 AQI transition.”

In a follow-up post, Jain revealed that Singapore was only a layover on his longer journey to Sydney. The accompanying photo featured a scenic view of the iconic Sydney Opera House with clear blue skies.But while some can momentarily flee the pollution crisis, millions in Delhi have no choice but to endure the hazardous conditions. On November 16, the capital’s average AQI stood at a worrying 385. Certain hotspots were even worse—Anand Vihar registered 412, while Chandni Chowk climbed to 418—pushing large swathes of the city into the “hazardous” category and amplifying health concerns for residents.