India’s capital, New Delhi, has once again been ranked the most polluted city in the world, while Pakistan’s Lahore secured the second spot, with the city’s air declared ‘very unhealthy’.

Pakistan’s Industrial and economic hub, Karachi, also ranked third in the worldwide Air Quality Index (AQI) issued by IQAir.

According to the AQI, Lahore recorded a pollution level of 268, while the average AQI is expected to remain between 210 and 240 throughout the day.

To tackle the problem of pollution, the Punjab government has taken many initiatives, including a ban on farm fires and fines against smoke-emitting vehicles.

The authorities have also started using anti-smog guns in polluted areas.

“Right now, the major issue is the air coming from Indian Punjab and other parts, which is affecting the air quality in various parts of Pakistani Punjab,” said Sajid Bashir, a spokesperson for Punjab’s Environment Protection Agency.

Karachi’s pollution level was recorded at 198, and placed into the ‘unhealthy’ air category.

India’s largest metropolitan centre, Mumbai, has been ranked fourth in the lis.

Experts have warned that pollution from Delhi is likely to increase fog and smog levels in Lahore today.

Meanwhile, anti-smog guns continue to operate across identified smog hotspots in the city.

Meanwhile, a Reuters report said that air quality in India’s capital New Delhi deteriorated to hazardous levels on Tuesday with readings the highest in the world, according to Swiss group IQAir, partly due to the use of firecrackers during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

The Supreme Court of India last week relaxed a ban on firecrackers in the city, permitting the use of so-called “green crackers” for a maximum of three hours each on Sunday and Monday, although Reuters witnesses saw crackers being set off outside the allotted times.

Emissions from the crackers are 30% to 50% lower than conventional fireworks.

IQAir’s reading for New Delhi was 442, making the Indian capital the world’s most polluted major city.

Its PM 2.5 concentration was more than 59 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended annual guideline.

PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, risking deadly diseases and cardiac problems.

India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also rated the city’s air quality “very poor” with an air quality index (AQI) measurement of 350. CPCB considers an AQI of 0-50 as good.

Delhi is unlikely to get relief in the coming days, with the Earth Sciences Ministry forecasting air quality will remain in the “Very Poor to Poor” category with AQI levels between 201 and 400.

India’s capital and its neighbouring districts are prone to a thick smog every winter as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from agricultural fires, leaving many of its 20 million residents struggling with respiratory illnesses.

In the past, authorities have closed schools, stopped some building work and placed restrictions on private vehicles to tackle the problem.