Delhi Overtakes Lahore To Top World's Most Polluted Cities As Air Quality Worsens
New Delhi: Amid the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi falling in the hazardous category, India’s capital city has ranked first in the world’s most polluted megacities, as per the last list, reported news agency Routers.
The ranking, which was compiled by the Swiss company IQAir, tracked air quality by the concentration of pollutants. Notably, as per India’s Central Pollution Control Board, India’s air quality recorded an even higher reading of 403, which it classifies as “severe”. AQI of up to 50 means good air quality with little or no risk to health.
During the winter season, the air quality has been dropping in northern India and neighboring Pakistan, making the cities in the region the worst affected. The pollution is primarily driven by emissions from traffic and industry, construction dust and smoke from the burning of crop residue.
During cooler months, weak winds and frequent temperature inversions keep harmful substances from dispersing, and they build up near the ground.
