Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi is grappling with a severe air quality crisis, with pollution levels now so high that they equate to smoking nearly 50 cigarettes a day. As of November 18, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital soared to a staggering 978, leaving residents struggling to breathe.

The decline in air quality began at the end of October and has continued to worsen, driven by various factors including the use of firecrackers and stubble burning. This ongoing situation has led to widespread concern among residents, who are facing a reality worse than they ever anticipated.

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The Supreme Court has expressed frustration with the AAP-led government for delaying the implementation of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih made it clear that no easing of preventive measures would be allowed, even if the AQI drops below 450.

In light of the alarming pollution levels, schools in Delhi have switched to online classes, with the exception of grades 10 and 12, prioritising the health and safety of students.

The situation is not unique to Delhi. Haryana, the neighbouring state, is also suffering with an AQI of 631, which translates to smoking about 33 cigarettes daily. Both Delhi and Haryana experience heavy smog and toxic air from stubble burning, a recurring issue each year.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh is reporting a more moderate AQI of 273, equivalent to smoking over 10 cigarettes per day. The weather in Uttar Pradesh features a maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 21per cent and PM2.5 levels at 122 µg/m³.

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Punjab, another state significantly impacted by stubble burning, has an AQI of 233, which corresponds to smoking approximately 8 cigarettes daily. Chief Minister Atishi Marlena raised concerns over the rising cases of stubble burning, questioning why Punjab, governed by her party AAP, is not making enough progress in reducing this issue.

On a positive note, some regions in India enjoy much cleaner air. For example, Ladakh has an AQI so low that it equates to smoking zero cigarettes per day. Additionally, Arunachal Pradesh boasts an impressive AQI of 13, which is equivalent to just 0.18 cigarettes daily, making it one of the cleanest air regions in the country. The state's weather includes a maximum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 45 per cent and a PM2.5 level of 6 µg/m³.