Northern India encountered the recurring annual pre-winter event of air emergency where the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings of main pollutant PM 2.5 breached the 400-mark of “very poor” and landed the air of Delhi, Punjab and other northern cities into the “hazardous” category.

A sharp spike in Delhi's air pollution was witnessed in the past 24 hours with 30 out of 36 monitoring stations reporting a severe air quality index.

The smog comes as Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) shot up to 459 at noon, falling under the 'severe' category, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board.