Air pollution in India's capital has hit hazardous levels, prompting local officials to ask that schools shut down and a half marathon scheduled later in November be called off.
On Tuesday, the readings of the government's air quality index hovered between 350 and 450, indicating that the health impact of breathing the air was "severe." The highest reading on the Central Pollution Control Board's index is 500.
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Indian woman sleeps in front of the Red Fort as smog envelop the old quarters of New Delhi on November 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / DOMINIQUE FAGET -
Indian commuters drive amid heavy smog in New Delhi on November 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / DOMINIQUE FAGET -
An Indian exercises early in the morning as smogs covers Rajpath ceremonial boulevard in New Delhi, on November 6, 2017. Delhi, one of the world's most polluted cities, suffers from high levels of pollution during winter months, with millions of vehicles contributing to the city's bad air. / AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN -
People walk early in the morning as smog covers India Gate war memorial in New Delhi on November 6, 2017. Delhi, one of the world's most polluted cities, suffers from high levels of pollution during winter months, with millions of vehicles contributing to the city's bad air. / AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN -
Birds fly past the Red Fort as smog envelop the old quarters of New Delhi on November 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / DOMINIQUE FAGET -
An Indian man covers his face with a handkerchief as smog covers the capital's skyline in New Delhi on November 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH SINGH
As winter approaches, a thick, soupy smog routinely envelops most parts of northern India, caused by dust, the burning of crops, emissions from factories and the burning of coal and piles of garbage as the poor try to keep warm.
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