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Air in India’s capital ranked world’s most polluted on eve of Diwali

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New Delhi ranked as the world's most polluted major city on Saturday morning with an AQI of 581, prompting doctors to urge residents to wear N95 masks and avoid morning runs as firecrackers ahead of Diwali threaten to worsen toxic air; India ordered schools in and around Delhi to offer online classes and encouraged work from home.

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New Delhi faced severe pollution forecasts a day before Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights usually marked by widespread firecracker use that worsens air quality. IQAir ranked Delhi first among the world's major cities for air pollution at 10.35am with a US air quality index reading of 581, double Lahore's reading of 285.

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New Delhi ranked as the world's most polluted major city on Saturday morning, according to Swiss group IQAir, as the Indian capital faced severe pollution forecasts a day before Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

India has ordered schools in and around Delhi to offer online classes and encouraged people to work from home ahead of Diwali on Sunday, which is usually marked by the widespread use of firecrackers that further worsen the air quality.

IQAir ranked Delhi first for air pollution among the world's major cities at 10.35am, with a US air quality index reading of 581, double that of Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, at 285.

Open Questions

What specific health impacts are doctors expecting from the pollution?
Are there any restrictions on firecracker use beyond school closures and work-from-home encouragement?
How long is the severe pollution expected to last?

Air in India’s capital ranked world’s most polluted on eve of Diwali

Quick Look

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Font size

IQAir ranked Delhi first for air pollution among the world's major cities at 10.35am, with a US air quality index reading of 581, double that of Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, at 285.

Open Questions

What specific health impacts are doctors expecting from the pollution?
Are there any restrictions on firecracker use beyond school closures and work-from-home encouragement?
How long is the severe pollution expected to last?

Air in India’s capital ranked world’s most polluted on eve of Diwali

Quick Look

Why It Matters

Open Questions

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Air in India’s capital ranked world’s most polluted on eve of Diwali

Quick Look

Why It Matters

Open Questions

Related Topics

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