Faced with severe air pollution, two populous South Asian nations, India and Pakistan, are urgently implementing temporary measures to address the situation and mitigate the impact of air quality on public health.

From October to the first week of November this year, PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Gurgaon were 45% and 77% lower than those in Delhi, respectively.

Delhi has once again topped the list of India’s most polluted cities in October 2024, according to a recent study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

India's capital unveiled plans Friday to fly special drones to clear pollution from its smog-choked skies -- a plan derided by experts as another "band-aid" solution to a public health crisis.

Gurugram, Haryana, currently reports a better Air Quality Index (AQI) compared to Delhi, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels 45 per cent lower, and an overall AQI 40% better. However, experts question if the air in Gurugram is genuinely cleaner than Delhi.

In October, Delhi's average level of PM2.5, a harmful air pollutant, went up to 111 µg/m2. This is the highest pollution level Delhi has seen since 2021.

Despite recording an excess monsoon, receiving over 1,000mm of rainfall between June and September, the best AQI this year was 53 (“satisfactory”) on August 8

Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Meerut, Charkhi Dadri, Greater Noida, and Bahadurgarh— all situated within the National Capital Region (NCR)-- were among top 10 polluted cities in the country

Toxic smog hung over the city on Monday and more stations recorded ‘severe’ air quality, even though the overall Air Quality Index of the capital remained in the upper levels of the ‘very poor’ zone.

While the 24-hour AQI climbed steadily through Thursday night, the city experienced an unexpected respite

Thousands ignored the ban on firecrackers, filling the night air with a dense haze of toxic smoke that pushed pollution to hazardous levels

Delhi’s air quality plummets to ‘very poor’ levels post-Diwali due to increased firecracker usage, stubble burning, and local emissions. Favorable weather conditions, including high wind speeds and above-normal temperatures, prevent it from reaching ‘severe’ levels.

Delhi's post-Diwali air quality improved due to favourable weather, despite increased stubble burning and local emissions.

Every year during Diwali a defiance of the Delhi government’s blanket firecracker ban deteriorates the air quality in the capital.

Despite a firecracker ban in Delhi, PM2.5 pollution levels surged dramatically on Diwali night, reaching hazardous concentrations in several parts of the city.

Despite a firecracker ban in Delhi, PM2.5 pollution levels surged dramatically on Diwali night, reaching hazardous concentrations in several parts of the city.

Environmental threats are widespread, affecting essential resources and human wellbeing globally. The quality of air that citizens of these cities breathe is of poor quality and is constantly deteriorating.

The month is on its way to becoming the warmest October experienced by Delhi at least since 2011, from when India Meteorological Department (IMD) data on average maximum and minimum temperatures are available.   

Every year, Delhi celebrates the festival of Diwali by lighting fireworks, sending the Indian capital's already thick smog to toxic levels. The government is under pressure to enact regulations to curb air pollution.