Northern India is grappling with a severe air quality crisis as pollution levels skyrocket across major cities. The situation is particularly dire in Delhi, Mumbai, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached alarming levels, posing significant health risks.

A day after implementation of restrictions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital region of Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi marginally dipped to 476 at 12 noon Tuesday from 495, recorded at 9 pm Monday.

As of Monday afternoon, three major cities recorded "poor" air quality, ten fell into the "moderate" category, and only two were rated "satisfactory."