New Delhi has been engulfed by smog since air pollution in Delhi reached “severe” levels.

Three times the acceptable levels of fine particles were found in the air. This is a sign that pollution has increased with winter.

According to the Federal Government’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, “As the minimum temperatures drop, gradual fog occurrence in the early morning hours is likely increase, leading to deterioration of the air quality index (AQI),”

SAFAR stated that the capital will continue to suffer from poor air quality over the next few days.

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According to the Central Pollution Control Board, (CPCB), the AQI reached over 400 in some parts of the city on Tuesday. This is considered the “severe” category.

CPCB reported that the level of fine particles measuring 2.5 mg was 180 mcm per cubic metre of fresh air at 10 a.m. in Delhi National Capital Region.

This was three times higher than the acceptable 24-hour limit of 60 micrograms/cubic metre of air.

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New Delhi is the most polluted capital in the world. Residents struggle to breathe each winter due to low temperatures and steady winds that trap pollutants near the ground.

Over the years, several measures have been taken by the city authorities to improve its air quality.

These include changing Delhi’s public transport fleet to cleaner fuel, spraying water on roads from the top of towers, and controlling the burning and disposal of waste and firewood during cold weather.

Experts say these measures must be implemented in northern India as well as in New Delhi and the surrounding areas that make up the larger National Capital Region. These towns also suffer from poor quality air.