ScienceTrending
Delhi was ranked the world's most polluted major city on Saturday morning by Swiss group IQAir, with an AQI reading of 581, ahead of Diwali celebrations.
Delhi was the world's most polluted major city on Saturday morning, according to Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir, as the Indian capital faced severe pollution forecasts a day before Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
IQAir ranked Delhi first among the world's major cities at 10:35am (0505 GMT), with a US air quality index reading of 581. The reading was nearly double that of Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, which stood at 285.
India's Central Pollution Control Board recorded Delhi's AQI at 363 at 10am, placing it in the "very poor" category. IQAir's measurements, based on concentrations of air pollutants, are not directly comparable with India's official air quality index due to differences in scales and methodologies.
Authorities in India have directed schools in and around Delhi to switch to online classes and encouraged people to work from home ahead of Sunday's celebrations. Diwali is traditionally marked by widespread firecracker use, which further contributes to deteriorating air quality.
Local media, citing official data, reported that Friday's air quality was the worst recorded in Delhi ahead of Diwali in eight years.
Air pollution is an annual challenge across many parts of northern India, particularly with the onset of winter. Cold, dense air traps vehicle emissions, construction dust and smoke from agricultural waste burning, contributing to worsening pollution levels.
Delhi's pollution season typically lasts until January, when the weather warms up. The city, home to 30 million people, has faced prolonged toxic smog, with residents reporting wheezy coughs, nausea and itchy eyes. Campaigners have described the pollution as a "health emergency".
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Delhi topped IQAir's ranking of major cities on Saturday morning with a US AQI reading of 581, more than double Lahore's 285, as India's capital faced severe pollution forecasts a day before Diwali.
A system of AI agents creates experimental protocols, tests them in a virtual lab, and directs real lab robots, according to a preprint from University of Toronto researchers.
