New Delhi Tops List As World’s Most Polluted City

New Delhi, India, leads the world in air pollution, according to IQAir data, due to a thick, toxic haze. IQAir, a Swiss group, assesses air quality based on PM2.5 particles, which are harmful to the lungs and can lead to cancer.

Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) has been measured at 611 by the Swiss group, categorizing it as “hazardous.” Lahore, Pakistan, follows with an AQI of 277. Contributing to this severe pollution are lower temperatures and extensive crop stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and neighboring states.

Read more : Karachi ranked 4th in most polluted city in the world

Delhi residents have reported eye irritation and throat discomfort due to the thick smog. Junior schools in the city have been closed on Friday and Saturday to protect students from health issues, and authorities have advised using face masks when going to school.

Ashwani Kumar, chairman of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, has stated that this pollution is expected to persist for the next two to three weeks, exacerbated by stubble burning, slow wind speed, and cooler temperatures.