Delhi and Lahore Face Severe Smog and AQI Spikes
Delhi and Lahore recorded hazardous air quality levels due to crop burning and emissions, prompting government restrictions and health warnings across India and Pakistan.
Air quality in Northern India and Pakistan deteriorated sharply between November 3 and November 4, 2026, driven by crop residue burning, vehicle emissions, and construction. In Delhi, the Central Pollution Control Board reported the city's worst air quality in 287 days on November 3, with AQI readings varying between 341 and 451. Conditions remained critical on November 4, with the citywide AQI reaching up to 379 and 21 of 59 monitoring stations hitting the severe category. Punjabi Bagh recorded peaks as high as 458.
Regional pollution extended across the National Capital Region, with Ghaziabad, Noida, and Greater Noida seeing AQI increases of 86% to 94%. NASA satellite data identified 1,561 farm fires in Punjab and Haryana contributing to the haze. In response, the Government of India implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan, restricting construction and polluting vehicles. The Supreme Court of India further limited Diwali firecrackers to low-emission varieties to prevent further deterioration ahead of the November 8 festival.
Simultaneously, Lahore, Pakistan, became the world's most polluted city on November 4. While citywide AQI reports varied between 362 and 447, the Allama Iqbal area peaked at 722. The Health Department of Punjab advised high-risk groups, including pregnant women and asthma patients, to wear masks and avoid outdoor activities as dense smog blanketed the provincial capital and surrounding cities like Bahawalnagar and Jhang.
