Air quALity iS BeyoND Severe

NEW DELHI — Delhi and the National Capital Region on Monday experienced the first smog of the season with air pollutants going up many folds higher than the permissible limits and the air quality falling under the “severe-plus” or “emergency” category.

The sudden deterioration was due to a change in the wind direction, from easterly to the north-westerly, that has brought smoke arising from stubble burning, and Delhi’s moist air trapping local and invading pollutants. —

Inside (the hospital) the air quality is maintained, but once he (Yogesh Kumar, above) steps out the bad air will start affecting him

Dr S.K. Gopinath, a thoracic surgeon