New Delhi, November 4 – The Indian capital of New Delhi has been ranked as the world's most polluted city, with alarming air quality levels. According to IQ Air, a website that tracks global air pollution, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) reached a hazardous level of 412 AQI, signaling serious health risks for its residents.

Following Delhi, Lahore in Pakistan has emerged as the second most polluted city with an AQI of 220. In response to the deteriorating air conditions, local authorities in Lahore have imposed a lockdown. Schools have been closed for at least a week starting from November 4, as a preventive measure to reduce health risks associated with high pollution levels.

Other cities facing significant pollution challenges include Kolkata, India, in third place; Cairo, Egypt, in fourth; Dhaka, Bangladesh, in fifth; Wuhan, China, in sixth; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in seventh; Dubai, UAE, in eighth; and Mumbai, India, in ninth place. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, rounds out the top ten.

Kathmandu, Nepal, ranks eighteenth among the most polluted cities, with a current AQI of 113. Pollution in Kathmandu reportedly surged during the Tihar festival due to the widespread use of firecrackers and an increase in fine dust. Despite growing concerns, local authorities in Kathmandu have yet to implement significant measures to address the pollution issue.

As pollution levels continue to rise across these major cities, health experts are urging authorities to take immediate actions to protect public health and reduce pollution sources.