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.

State authorities tout an experimental plan that involves stimulating clouds for rain, but scientists are sceptical.

Due to Delhi's severe air pollution, the government has implemented a work-from-home policy for half of its employees. The Air Quality Index reached a dangerous level of 424, prompting the closure of schools and restrictions on vehicle movement.

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.

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

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.

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.

India's capital was left gasping this week as air pollution smog reduced visibility to near zero and raised air quality levels more than 130 times safe limits.

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,

Due to severe air pollution in Delhi, the government has implemented a 50% work-from-home policy for its employees and encouraged private organizations to follow suit. The city is also under Stage IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP),