Air pollution choking New Delhi has ground outdoor work to a halt and disrupted air travel in the Indian capital.

Delhi's AQI hits a hazardous 404 with smog blanketing the city; restrictions imposed, including school closures and fines for violators.

Northern India encountered the recurring annual pre-winter event of air emergency where the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings of main pollutant PM 2.5 breached the 400-mark of “very poor” and landed the air of Delhi, Punjab and other northern cities into the “hazardous” category.

A study published in June found that air pollution killed 135 million people over the last four decades around the world, with India and China accounting for the bulk of the fatalities. In 2023, Delhi’s AQI was recorded between 445 and 520 just a day after Diwali, placing it firmly in the “severe” category.

Lahore, Pakistan, has dethroned New Delhi to become the world's most polluted city. Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to a shocking 1,600 on Friday morning, with the CERP Office area recording an AQI of 1,587, according to Swiss monitor IQAir. Other areas of Lahore also recorded shocking AQIs over 1,000.

Visibility in India’s capital has fallen sharply as toxic smog shrouds the city. Pushpa' star Allu Arjun beats Shah Rukh Khan, Thalapathy Vijay, Prabhas and others to become the highest-paid actor in India: Report Budget-friendly rides: Top 5 scooters for under Rs 80,

On Wednesday, the national capital's air quality took a serious turn for the worse, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketing to a staggering 418. This alarming number puts the capital squarely in the 'severe' category,