Foreigner’s viral reaction to Delhi’s toxic smog: ‘Could barely see the sun’ as pollution worsens

Highlights:

• Foreigner says Delhi’s smog was so dense he “could barely see the sun.”
• Delhi’s AQI hit 366, ranked “very poor,” before slightly improving to 316.
• Social media users slammed lawmakers for repeated policy failures.
• Netizens used humour and frustration to describe life under smog.
• Experts link worsening air to stubble burning, traffic, and weather shifts.

Delhi is once again gasping for clean air as a thick, grey haze blankets the city, with air pollution levels rising to dangerous highs. Amid the smog-choked skyline, a foreign traveller’s account has gone viral online — perfectly capturing the shock many first-time visitors feel when they encounter Delhi’s toxic winter air.

Shane, a foreign national visiting India, said he was taken aback by the dense layer of smog engulfing the capital. “It’s pretty bad. I came from Agra by bus, and the closer I got to Delhi, the thicker the smog was. It kept getting worse to the point where I could even barely see the sun anymore,” he told ANI. His video, which shows the city under a murky sky, quickly drew millions of views and sparked widespread discussion on social media.

Delhi’s residents joined the conversation, expressing frustration and embarrassment over the state of the city’s air. “It’s a huge shame for lawmakers. This problem has persisted for years, yet no solution has been found. What kind of image are we projecting to the world?” one user wrote. Another commented jokingly, “Bro landed in Delhi expecting yoga retreats and found a live demo of ‘lungs before and after industrialisation.’” Others summed up the situation in one word — “Apocalypse.”

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 366 over the weekend, placing it in the “very poor” category. Though it slightly dropped to 316 on Monday, the air remains unhealthy for breathing. Environmental experts attribute the choking haze to vehicular emissions, stubble burning in neighbouring states, industrial smoke, and stagnant weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground.

Social media users pointed out that despite court interventions, public campaigns, and seasonal bans, the problem recurs every year without a long-term fix. Many questioned how a city that houses top political leaders and judges continues to face such neglect.

As visuals of Delhi’s skyline shrouded in smog flood global news, Shane’s remark — “I could barely see the sun” — has become a haunting metaphor for the city’s environmental crisis and a wake-up call for urgent action.