New Delhi halts construction

NEW DELHI — New Delhi officials have ordered a two-day halt to construction in an attempt to reduce choking pollution that has cloaked the city in smog and dust.

The government’s Central Pollution Control Board rated the city’s air quality Friday as “severe” — the worst possible category — for the fourth day in a row.

New Delhi’s level of PM2.5, tiny particulate matter that can dangerously clog lungs, exceeded 170 Friday morning, more than six times higher than the World Health Organization considers safe.

The order to halt construction, which was issued Thursday night, came amid days of winds that have carried dirt and dust across northern India, causing pollution to spike in numerous cities and forcing dozens of flight cancellations.

The city is also trying to lower the amount of dirt in the air by spraying water in many neighborhoods.

“If you look at the satellite picture today, you will see a swath of dust swirl that has kind of engulfed the entire region,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of the New Delhi-based Center for Science and Environment.

“As it begins to move in the urban environment, the dust gathers and accumulates all the other toxic substances that are coming from the vehicles, from the industry, from power plants, and it becomes a toxic dust and that’s what we are breathing today.”