An AQI reading of 1600 is considered extremely hazardous, posing a risk to everyone, even those in good health, and significantly increasing the risk of respiratory issues.

In the worst case of air pollution in the world, an area in Pakistan's Lahore recorded an AQI of nearly 1600 on Friday. According to Swiss monitor IQAir, the CERP Office area in Lahore had an AQI of 1587 on Friday morning.

Delhi continues to battle severe air pollution, with the air quality index (AQI) remaining in the “severe” category for the third consecutive day. The AQI stands at 498, making Delhi the world’s second most polluted city, behind Lahore, Pakistan, which recorded an AQI of 770 at 7 am, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company.

According to Swiss air quality monitoring agency IQAir, multiple areas in Lahore reported AQI levels exceeding 1,000. With an average AQI of 1,300, Lahore has consistently ranked as the world's most polluted city for much of November 2024. The number reportedly touched 1,900 in some areas.

Lahore’s average AQI on Thursday stood at a staggering 1300, making it the planet’s most polluted city throughout November 2024. Despite government interventions, air quality continues to worsen daily, exacerbated by increasing smog and plummeting temperatures.

Top 10 India's most polluted cities in 2024, in addition to global AQI rankings: The air quality in New Delhi and surrounding areas reached the 'severe' category for the first time this season.

Air pollution in India's national capital increased to 'severe' on an official index on Wednesday for the first time this season as temperatures and wind speeds dropped, reducing visibility and affecting some flights.

PM IST Delhi's air quality turned 'severe' for the first time this season on Wednesday, with the AQI soaring to 418. The national capital also overtook the Pakistani city Lahore to become the world's most polluted city in Swiss group IQAir's live rankings.

Delhi and its neighbouring cities are experiencing pollution levels that are at least 30-35 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures,

Delhi overtook Pakistan ’s Lahore as the world’s most polluted city in Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, with an air quality index (AQI) score of more than 1,000, which is considered “hazardous”, but India ’s pollution authority said the AQI was around 350.