Delhi Smog: What Are You Breathing? 10 Pictures That Will Terrify You

People in Delhi woke up on Monday to see a thick blanket of smog engulfing the national capital ahead of Diwali due to high impact of stubble burning. PTI Photo

Over one lakh children under five years of age died in India in 2016 due to exposure to toxic air, a WHO report has said. PTI Photo

Authorities have warned of severe deterioration in the air quality in the coming days. People out on streets complained of irritation in eyes and difficulty while breathing. Pictures from different parts of the capital showed haze covering up the streets. AFP Photo

The deterioration of air quality comes ahead of Diwali when a further spike in pollution is expected to hit the city. AFP Photo

The air quality in Delhi gas dropped to 'severe' category. The thick haze also reduced the visibility drastically. AFP Photo

The overall air quality index of Delhi was registered at 345 which falls in the 'very poor' category. Now, it has deteriorated further and reached ‘severe’ level and escalated to hazardous point. AFP Photo

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is home to six of the top 10 polluted cities in the world with Delhi sitting on the top of the list. AFP Photo

On Monday, the PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level was recorded at 268 while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 391. AFP Photo

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. AFP Photo