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.

Every year when winter arrives, India's capital region is choked by smog and smoke. However, seasonal crop burning fires in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana add to Delhi's air pollution. Unlike Mumbai,

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.

In several areas of the city, pollution levels were more than 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. Forecasts say the poor air quality will continue into the week.

Unhealthy

A thick blanket of toxic smog engulfed most parts of northern India on Monday and readings of air quality in the capital New Delhi hit their highest this year after dense fog overnight. Visibility dropped to 100 m (109 yards) in Delhi and Chandigarh,

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.

November is recorded as the second most polluted penultimate month, with an average AQI of 375, just below 376 in 2021. Delhi saw eight 'severe' days, including two 'severe-plus' days, with no rainfall to alleviate pollution levels.