Top 10 India's most polluted cities in 2024, in addition to global AQI rankings: The air quality in New Delhi and surrounding areas reached the 'severe' category for the first time this season.

In the worst case of air pollution in the world, an area in Pakistan's Lahore recorded an AQI of nearly 1600 on Friday. According to Swiss monitor IQAir, the CERP Office area in Lahore had an AQI of 1587 on Friday morning.

On Tuesday, Hajipur emerged as the most polluted city in India with a severe AQI of 427, contributing to alarming air quality levels in Bihar. Patna, Rajgir, and other cities in the state also ranked among the top 10 polluted cities.

An AQI reading of 1600 is considered extremely hazardous, posing a risk to everyone, even those in good health, and significantly increasing the risk of respiratory issues.

PM IST Delhi's air quality turned 'severe' for the first time this season on Wednesday, with the AQI soaring to 418. The national capital also overtook the Pakistani city Lahore to become the world's most polluted city in Swiss group IQAir's live rankings.

Delhi and its neighbouring cities are experiencing pollution levels that are at least 30-35 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures,

Delhi overtook Pakistan ’s Lahore as the world’s most polluted city in Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, with an air quality index (AQI) score of more than 1,000, which is considered “hazardous”, but India ’s pollution authority said the AQI was around 350.