NASA's Before and After Photos Show How Smog Has Smothered Delhi and Northern India

New Delhi: A thick layer of smog continues to blanket North India, with recent images from NASA revealling how the air quality has drastically worsened over the past month. Major cities like Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow are enveloped in hazardous air, impacting millions of lives across the region.

North India Chokes Under Severe Smog as AQI Hits Hazardous Levels

Delhi: In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has surged to the 'severe' category, with readings above 400 in several parts of the city. Such high levels of pollution mean that residents are breathing toxic air, which poses severe health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions.

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Lucknow: Lucknow’s AQI also spiked following Diwali festivities, pushing the city into the 'very poor' category. The poor air quality is making it increasingly difficult for residents to breathe clean air, with smoke from celebrations adding to the already dense smog.

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In Punjab , Chandigarh recorded one of the worst AQI levels in the country on Thursday with reaching a hazardous 425. This extreme level has left residents struggling to breathe, with pollution becoming a severe health concern.

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Haryana and Delhi NCR are also suffering. Haryana ’s AQI remains above 300, keeping it in the 'very poor' range. Heavy smog is blanketing the region, reducing visibility and disrupting daily life. Experts attribute much of the pollution to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana beacuse farmers burn crop residue after harvesting paddy in October and November.

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Agra, though slightly better, continues to face pollution issues, with an AQI of 153, which falls under the 'poor' category. Despite slight improvements, the city remains covered in a hazy blanket of smog.

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