Whatever the causes of the smog, by one ranking Delhi was not just the most polluted city in the world, but “nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka,” in Bangladesh next door, as Shashi Tharoor, a leader of the opposition in Parliament and best-selling author, posted on X.

Delhi recorded air pollution more than 17 times above an acceptable level as worsening smog triggered curbs on trucking and shuttered construction sites and schools.

As Delhi's air quality deteriorates, the smallest and most vulnerable among us, our babies, need extra care and protection to breathe safely and thrive amidst the smog.

Northern India is grappling with a severe air quality crisis as pollution levels skyrocket across major cities. The situation is particularly dire in Delhi, Mumbai, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached alarming levels, posing significant health risks.

The city on Wednesday recorded an air quality index of 425, a level at which even healthy people can experience respiratory illnesses.

According to the CPCB data, Delhi’s overall 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 488 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday — the worst in the country

India's capital city of Delhi has virtually shut down as air pollution hit "severe plus" levels, according to Indian government officials in its pollution control authority.

Delhi is battling one of its worst pollution crises, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing hazardous levels in several areas, reaching as high as 634 in Ashok Vihar. The government has implemented a 50% work-from-home policy and GRAP Stage IV restrictions,

Delhi logged a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 460 at 4:00 pm, lower than the record 494 clocked on Monday, but still in the “severe-plus” classification.

Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) remained in the "severe" category at 423 as of Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. Mundka (464), Wazirpur, and Alipur (462) were the city's most polluted areas.

As air quality index levels reach alarming figures, concerns continue to grow about the impact of pollution on public health and safety.