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.

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.

Unhealthy

A suffocating haze of toxic smog in New Delhi will prevent Charlotte de Witte from performing as the city cracks down to halt further environmental damage. The techno superstar's Sunburn Arena performance, which was scheduled for this weekend, has officially been cancelled as the city grapples with the toxic air conditions.

Delhi's air quality improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category, with AQI at 357, but Anand Vihar remains 'severe'.

Delhi experiences severe air quality as AQI hits 412, with experts citing meteorological conditions and stubble burning as major contributors. Visibility affected by fog as pollution levels remain hazardous.