Increasingly severe air quality also means that it is equivalent to the amount of cigarettes a person could be breathing in or smoking every day. With the national capital being at the worst of it all,

The air quality in the nation's capital remained in the "severe plus" category on Monday, and GRAP-IV norms will be enforced starting today. According to aqicn.org, the air quality index increased to 762 in various areas of Delhi,

New Delhi has become the most polluted city in the world after its air quality turns ‘hazardous’ at 1,081 and the concentration of PM2.5 - particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into lungs,

The AQI at all monitoring stations stood between 1300 and 1600 - ‘hazardous’ category - at around 10 am on Monday, as per Swiss air technology company IQAir.

This dramatic deterioration in air quality has prompted urgent action from authorities, with Delhi experiencing a host of severe environmental concerns.

The Supreme Court agreed for an urgent hearing of a plea on Monday seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.

The air quality in the national capital has worsened with the air quality index (AQI) reading reaching a mark of 483, which is in the ‘severe plus’ category. An AQI of 450 and above is categorised as ‘severe plus’.

The air quality in Delhi deteriorated, prompting GRAP IV restrictions. Schools for students up to Class 11 will switch to online learning, construction work will be banned, and only specific vehicles

Delhi's air quality reached a hazardous AQI level of 1001, as per IQAir, with projections of improvement later in the day. The dense pollution triggered emergency measures, including restrictions on vehicles and construction activities under the GRAP framework.