NEW DELHI — Residents across India woke to hazy skies on Sunday as air quality worsened, with pollution levels in the capital, New Delhi, reaching “very poor” to “severe” on the National Air Quality Index, posing significant health risks. In Mumbai, air quality was rated “moderate,” but visibility was noticeably reduced.
The smog also enveloped the Taj Mahal, leaving the iconic monument shrouded in a dense haze.
In Delhi, Balwinder Singh described the air as “difficult to breathe,” saying he tires easily, while another resident, Himanshu Mishra, said he feels “suffocated.”
Air pollution is a persistent issue in India, particularly in the capital, where winter smog descends annually as cold air traps emissions from vehicles, industry, and dust, creating a thick layer of pollution that makes breathing a struggle for many residents.
