From Dawn · Imran Gabol | Reuters · · 1m 40s
Delhi overtakes Lahore as world's most polluted city
Delhi becomes world's most polluted major city as air quality hits hazardous levels.
In brief
Delhi becomes world's most polluted major city as air quality hits hazardous levels. Delhi overtook Lahore to become the world's most polluted major city with air quality index reaching 334, classified as hazardous by IQAir. Originally reported by Dawn.
Delhi overtakes Lahore
Delhi became the world's most polluted major city on Friday with air quality index reaching 334, classified as hazardous by IQAir.
“Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 334, categorised as "hazardous"”
Air quality index levels
IQAir recorded Delhi’s AQI at 334, while India’s Central Pollution Control Board recorded it at 403, classified as severe.
“India’s official Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a higher AQI of 403 in Delhi”
Delhi pollution levels
Delhi’s AQI dropped to 208 by 11am PKT, with Lahore ranked seventh among the world’s most polluted cities at 155.
“According to IQAir’s hourly readings, Delhi’s AQI had dropped to 208 by 11am PKT”
Smog conditions
Dense smog obscured street lights in Delhi, with vehicles emerging from the haze on city roads.
“Vehicles drive past mist spraying system installed in between roads to control air pollution in New Delhi”
Seasonal pollution
Pollution levels are seasonal in northern India and Pakistan due to cold, heavy air trapping emissions and agricultural burning.
“Pollution is a seasonal problem in many parts of northern Pakistan and India”
Lahore pollution levels
Lahore’s average PM2.5 concentration was 126 micrograms per cubic metre, exceeding national standards on 40 days.
“Lahore’s average PM2.5 concentration stood at 126 micrograms per cubic metre”
Crop residue burning
Satellite instruments detected 18,825 fires across Punjab, 89 percent of which were likely crop-residue burning.
“Satellite instruments detected 18,825 fires across Punjab, Pakistan”
Pollution trends
Lahore’s pollution levels were 11 percent lower than the corresponding period in 2025, but still exceeded national standards.
“The average was 11pc lower than in the corresponding period in 2025”
Health risks
Lahore’s average PM2.5 concentration was eight times the World Health Organisation’s guideline value.
“Earlier this week, Lahore’s average PM2.5 concentration was eight times the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guideline value”
Weather conditions
Stagnant weather conditions and reduced atmospheric dispersion contributed to pollution accumulation in Punjab.
“the association did not establish the precise contribution of crop-residue burning to urban pollution”
Air quality impact
Delhi’s air quality reached hazardous levels with visibility dropping as smog blanketed the city of 20 million people.
“India’s capital, Delhi, overtook Lahore to become the world’s most polluted city on Friday, with air quality reaching hazardous levels and visibility dropping as smog blanketed the city of 20 million people”
The main idea
Delhi overtook Lahore to become the world's most polluted major city with air quality index reaching 334, classified as hazardous by IQAir.
