Smog chokes Indian capital as air pollution levels soar

Air pollution in the Indian capital has hit dangerous levels again this winter, as thick, gray smog obscures the sky and monuments and high-rises are swallowed by a blanket of haze

NEW DELHI -- Sky obscured by thick, gray smog. Monuments and high-rise buildings swallowed by a blanket of haze. People struggling to breathe.

In the Indian capital, it is that time of the year again.

The city’s air quality index fell into the “very poor” category on Sunday, according to SAFAR, India’s main environmental monitoring agency, and in many areas levels of the deadly particulate matter reached around six times the global safety threshold.

NASA satellite imagery also showed most of India’s northern plains covered by thick haze.