Delhi's air pollution reaches hazardous levels after Diwali, construction work halted

India's capital Delhi woke up to hazardous levels of air pollution on Monday morning after firecrackers were set off extensively across the city on Diwali night. Thick smoke and haze have reduced visibility in many parts of the city.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index reached about 418 in Patparganj, 406 at ITO, 381 at Rajiv Chowk and 360 around South Extension. Air quality has also reached hazardous levels in around 10 cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

At 7 a.m., the index crossed 500 in Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and Lucknow. In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the index reached about 320 on the night of November 8, placing it in the "severe" category.

Stage three of the graded response action plan has been in effect in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region since Friday. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management, adverse weather conditions prevented polluted air from dispersing, pushing Delhi's index to about 382 on November 6.

Under the new rules, non-essential construction and demolition work, foundation digging, piling, road construction and major repair work have been halted. A ban has also been imposed on driving BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. Cold and fog have also begun affecting parts of northern India.