Delhi on Friday witnessed a thick layer of smog covering various parts, pushing the city's air quality into the 'very poor' category.

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.

Multiple locations in the national capital reported "severe" air quality on Thursday morning, while the city’s AQI stayed in the "very poor" range, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data at 7 am.

Air pollution choking New Delhi has ground outdoor work to a halt and disrupted air travel in the Indian capital.

GRAP stage 3 will come into force at 8am on Friday. The Delhi government announced that classes for primary schools will be shifted to online.

As of early Thursday morning, the AQI at key locations like Anand Vihar, Bawana, Dwarka Sector 8, and Jahangirpuri surpassed 400, entering the "severe" category.

As Delhi's air quality dropped to 'severe', Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that all primary schools in the national capital would be shifted to online modules. In a post on X, Atishi said that the online sessions will continue till further directions.

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