New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- The national capital is choking again! Two weeks after Diwali, Delhi's air quality deteriorated further on Sunday, November 2, falling into the 'severe' category with an overall AQI reading of above 400, compared to 303 the day before.

The spike marks a sharp escalation in pollution levels across Delhi within 24 hours.

As smoke engulfs city skies and fog reduces visibility across the city, the air quality at AIIMS Delhi and surrounding areas was recorded as being in the 'severe' category, at 421, on Sunday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), shallow fog mixed with smoke prevailed over both stations. An IMD weather expert noted that the reduced visibility was due to the combined effect of smoke ...