Delhi sees a major spike in air pollution every winter due to several factors, including the burning of farm waste in the adjoining states of Haryana and Punjab.

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

Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning. This time, experts say that the condition is likely to get worse in the coming days.

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.

The air quality index (AQI) had surged to 366 according to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 9 am.

Dense smog engulfed Delhi and its surrounding areas on Wednesday morning with visibility dropping and the air quality settling in the "very poor" category. According to data by the Central Pollution Control Board,