How dangerous Delhi's air has become

As stubble burning intensified in neighbouring states, Delhi authorities have banned construction activities along with halting operations of industries using coal and biomass as fuel between November 1 and 10. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis /Reuters

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee issued the directions, which also included intensifying patrolling in 'hot spots' with "no tolerance for visibly polluting vehicles", to government agencies following the orders from the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis /Reuters

An official said that the Environment Pollution Control Authority is even considering regulating use of private vehicles in the wake of an alarming rise in air pollution in Delhi. There are a total of 35 lakh private vehicles in the Delhi NCR region. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo

SAFAR has issued a health advisory for public, asking Delhiites to not to rely on dust masks for protection. The agency has advised Delhiites to avoid all outdoor activities and give a miss to morning walks. "If the room has windows, close them, if the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even an incense," it said. The advisory also recommended frequent wet mopping and using masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators only for outdoor activities. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

A SAFAR official said pollution is likely to increase faster now with lead pollutant as PM10 because of new development as shown by SAFAR-model where it is indicating that western disturbances may hit over western Himalayan region from October 31. "Lot of moisture is already getting introduced in Delhi sky as an early signature. The withdrawal will bring even more moisture in the air and result in fall in temperature. Upper winds already turned north-westerly (stubble site) on Tuesday. Only favourable thing is that upper wind speed is moderate and fire counts are low," the official said. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis /Reuters

To avoid November pollution during Diwali, when the firecrackers are set off, Delhi's half marathon was held early in October. The organisers used ultra high frequency radio waves to clear the air for the runners, an experimental technique to improve the city's notorious air quality. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis /Reuters

About 44 joint teams from various agencies will be deployed from Thursday, November 1 to check air pollution in the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government said. The teams have been mandated to take strict punitive action against violators responsible for sources of air pollution, it said in a statement. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

On the issue of firecrackers, the environment ministry said that the directions of the Supreme Court shall be followed strictly in Delhi and NCR. "Timings and locations as envisaged in the Supreme Court's order for bursting of firecrackers would be strictly adhered to. Further only eco-friendly fire crackers would be sold after proper authorisation has been obtained from Petroleum and Safety Organization," the ministry said in a statement. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis /Reuters

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology also spotted a large number of biomass fire spots through satellite imageries in neighbouring states of Delh. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis /Reuters

D Saha, former additional director and head of air quality management division in CPCB, said entire northern India coupled with the Indo-Gangetic plains are under the grip of 'severe' to 'very poor' air quality. "There are depression in eastern India, which does not allow free flow of air from north or north west resulting in calm condition both in the upper and lower atmosphere," he said. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters