NEW DELHI – Indian authorities have ordered schools in and around New Delhi to conduct classes online as worsening air quality and thickening smog raise concerns over public health.
According to international media reports, the directive was issued on November 6, when the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 382, indicating severe pollution levels.
Authorities had warned that air quality could deteriorate further in the coming days amid Diwali celebrations, which traditionally involve the widespread use of firecrackers.
Diwali is usually celebrated by the massive use of firecrackers that further worsens the air quality.
Meanwhile, air pollution in Lahore, capital city of Pakistan’s Punjab, reached hazardous levels on Monday morning, as a thick blanket of smog engulfed the city, once again making it the world’s most polluted city.
The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 563 at 8:00am, while fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emerged as the main pollutant, raising concerns over the worsening smog situation.
According to data available on the IQAir portal, PM2.5 concentration in Lahore stood at 357 micrograms per cubic metre, indicating severe pollution. The reported weather conditions included a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, wind speed of 8 kilometres per hour and humidity of 32 per cent.
Lahore Areas AQI on 9 November 2026
The monitoring platform reported data from 54 stations operated by 35 contributors across Lahore. Station-level readings showed particularly alarming pollution levels in several areas, with CERP Office recording an AQI of 898, followed by Burki Road Paragon B at 862 and ARM at 754.
Allama Iqbal Town recorded an AQI of 712, while ARC Lahore reported 609. Other areas reporting high pollution levels included AirWatchPakistan-RG at 535, A Block Model Town at 513, Askari 10 at 469, Bedian Thethar Road at 453 and B Block, Phase 5, DHA, at 410.
Meanwhile, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has warned that smog intensity could increase across the province over the coming days, citing the possibility of fine particles from fireworks across the border contributing to deteriorating air quality.
In a statement, she said the government had further intensified measures to combat smog, particularly operations involving smog guns near the eastern corridor bordering India.
Aurangzeb urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities in controlling local sources of pollution, particularly by avoiding the burning of crop residue, especially rice stubble.
