Smog Engulfs Delhi As Three Indian Cities Rank Among World's Most Polluted Today

A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the severe plus category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night.

According to data from the Swiss Group IQAir, the Indian capital, along with Kolkata and Mumbai, ranks among the most polluted cities globally today.

New Delhi took the top position is the real-time list with an AQI of 483 at 7.30 am today. Lahore is in the second value at 371. Kolkata and Mumbai were listed among the five cities most affected by air pollution, recording AQI levels of 206 and 162, respectively.

Experts and medical professionals recommend that the ideal AQI for a healthy individual should be below 50.

Delhi, India: 483
Lahore, Pakistan: 371
Kolkata, India: 206
Dhaka, Bangladesh: 189
Karachi, Pakistan: 162
Mumbai, India: 162
Shenyang, China: 159
Hangzhou, China: 159
Kuwait City, Kuwait: 155
Wuhan, China: 152

Delhi air quality falls to 'severe plus' category
A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the severe plus category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night.

Under the Centre's air pollution control plan, all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the National Capital Region if the AQI crosses the 450-mark.

The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times at multiple locations throughout Delhi-NCR. It was 80 to 100 times the healthy limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter set by the WHO.

Air quality in Delhi-NCR declined over the past week due to a gradual drop in temperatures, calm winds that trap pollution, and a surge in post-harvest paddy straw burning across Punjab and Haryana.