Delhi becomes world's most polluted city, surpassing Lahore

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 06:49 · Archive

New Delhi has overtaken Lahore as the world's most polluted city, with hazardous air quality readings.

New Delhi has overtaken Pakistan's Lahore as the world's most polluted city. On Friday, Delhi's Air Quality Index was recorded at 334 by Swiss monitoring group IQAir, making it the most polluted major city globally and categorised as hazardous. At the same time, Lahore was ranked seventh among the world's most polluted cities, with an AQI of 155.

India's Central Pollution Control Board recorded Delhi's AQI higher at 403 and rated it in the severe category. The difference between the Indian and Swiss readings is caused by the two organisations using different AQI scales and methodologies to calculate and categorise air pollution levels.

A thick layer of smog has enveloped Delhi, significantly impacting visibility across the city. In northern India and Pakistan, pollution poses a seasonal problem as cold, heavy winter air traps vehicle emissions, construction dust and smoke from agricultural burning.

How it is being reported

• India: Delhi surpasses Lahore as world's most polluted cityDelhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded to be higher than Lahore in Pakistan on Friday, which made it the most polluted city globally.DW News · 14 Nov, 06:37
• Delhi overtakes Lahore as world’s most polluted cityIndia’s capital New Delhi has overtaken Pakistan’s Lahore as the world’s most polluted city.Al Jazeera · 13 Nov, 13:11

In this story: Delhi · Lahore · India · Pakistan · IQAir · Central Pollution Control Board

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log