The average air quality index (AQI) in Delhi early Tuesday was recorded to be 492 (as of 7 am). The AQI in Alipur, Anand Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Pusa and Sonia Vihar, meanwhile, touched 500, which is the maximum index (as per the Central Pollution Control Board).

The AQI in Delhi-NCR is in the ‘severe plus’ category. AQI between 0-50 is considered “good”, 51-100 is “satisfactory”, 101-200 is “moderate”, 201-300 is “poor”, 301-400 is “very poor”, 401-500 is “severe” and above 500 is a “severe plus”.

Residents in India's northern states woke up to another day of poor air quality on Tuesday, as a layer of dense fog shrouded most of the region, and pollution in the capital Delhi remained severe.

Northern India is grappling with a severe air quality crisis as pollution levels skyrocket across major cities. The situation is particularly dire in Delhi, Mumbai, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached alarming levels, posing significant health risks.

India, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) on Tuesday morning stood at 492, which is worse than Monday’s 483. Monday’s 483 AQI was the season’s worst but Tuesday has plummeted further.

Northern India, particularly Delhi, faces severe air pollution as dense fog and emissions render the air dangerous to breathe. With AQI peaking at 491, the government imposed restrictions on vehicles and construction.

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.

Delhi recorded air pollution more than 17 times above an acceptable level as worsening smog triggered curbs on trucking and shuttered construction sites and schools.