The proportion of small particles of the size PM2.5 in the air, those considered to cause the most damage to airways, is a whole 60 times higher than the maximum value set by the World Health Organization WHO. The value landed on Monday at 907, compared to the recommendation of a maximum of 15, according to the environmental authority Safar.
Unnecessary truck traffic has been banned from entering the capital area and teaching in most school classes is taking place online.
The smog cover makes visibility poor, skyscrapers and the surrounding mountains of the city can barely be discerned, which can affect air traffic.
Farmers in other parts of India who burn off their fields before next year's sowing, as well as exhaust fumes from factories and traffic, are believed to be behind the deadly high pollution levels.
In October, India's highest court ruled that clean air is a fundamental human right. Therefore, both the government and state authorities must act against the high pollution levels.
