A toxic haze enveloped India's national capital on Wednesday morning as temperatures dropped and pollution surged, reducing visibility in some parts and prompting a warning from airport authorities that flights may be affected.

Dense smog engulfed Delhi and its surrounding areas on Wednesday morning with visibility dropping and the air quality settling in the "very poor" category. According to data by the Central Pollution Control Board,

The alarming drop in air quality has triggered widespread concerns among residents, many of whom are now reporting significant health issues due to the toxic air.

A study published in June found that air pollution killed 135 million people over the last four decades around the world, with India and China accounting for the bulk of the fatalities. In 2023, Delhi’s AQI was recorded between 445 and 520 just a day after Diwali, placing it firmly in the “severe” category.

New Delhi, followed by Muzaffarpur, Sonipat, Gazhiabad, Saharsa, and Chandigarh, remained in the top ten most polluted cities in India on Tuesday.

The weather department has predicted that these conditions are unlikely to improve soon, with the AQI predicted to remain in the “very poor” range for the next two days.

Delhi's air quality has been classified as 'very poor' for 15 consecutive days, with the primary pollutant being PM10. This harmful particulate matter originates from sources like vehicle emissions and industrial activities,

While the air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, none of the stations had recorded AQI at 400 or above, which is the ‘severe’ category.

The CPCB data showed the average AQI in Delhi's Anand Vihar was 393 at 5am on Wednesday. According to Swiss group IQAir's live ratings, the AQI in Noida was 1133 (hazardous), with