Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning. This time, experts say that the condition is likely to get worse in the coming days.

Delhi recorded the worst air quality in India on Wednesday with a severe AQI of 418 while Noida and Gurugram also faced very poor levels.

Industrial activities and vehicular traffic are significant contributors to air pollution in the city, along with rampant construction. For the past many years, every year ahead of winter the air quality in Delhi has become hazardous.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called on the Delhi government to immediately shut down all schools up to Class 5 in light of the city's dangerous air pollution levels. Criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its failure to control pollution,

Air pollution in India's national capital increased to 'severe' on an official index on Wednesday for the first time this season as temperatures and wind speeds dropped, reducing visibility and affecting some flights.

The air quality index (AQI) had surged to 366 according to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 9 am.