India’s air quality crisis has reached global headlines, with its capital city, Delhi, topping the list of the world’s most polluted urban centers. This concerning data, released by Swiss air quality monitor IQAir, also highlights the significant pollution levels in other Indian cities, with Mumbai ranking fifth and Kolkata at eighth place. The report further indicates that two major Pakistani cities, Lahore and Karachi, have also landed spots within the top ten most polluted cities globally, at second and fourth place respectively.
The findings come shortly after the Diwali festival, an event typically associated with a surge in air pollution due to the widespread use of firecrackers. Despite the Supreme Court’s permission for the sale and use of ‘green crackers’ within specific timeframes in Delhi-NCR, reports suggest that adherence to these regulations was inconsistent, contributing to the elevated pollution levels.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a key indicator of pollution, with readings categorized from ‘Good’ (0-50) to ‘Severe’ (401-500). On the day of the report, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 350, placing it in the ‘Very Poor’ category. Several areas within the city, including Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Wazirpur, Alipur, and Burari Crossing, experienced even more severe conditions, with AQI levels exceeding 401.
The top 10 most polluted cities, according to the IQAir report, are:
- Delhi, India
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Mumbai, India
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Doha, Qatar
- Kolkata, India
- Canberra, Australia
- Jakarta, Indonesia