Schools shuttered and Taj Mahal obscured as smog envelops Delhi

Primary schools ordered to cease in-person classes as air pollution deteriorates to dangerous levels in Indian capital

India’s capital Delhi has ordered all primary schools to cease in-person classes until further notice due to worsening pollution in the sprawling megacity, while over 100 miles away the smog was so thick it obscured the Taj Mahal monument.

Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than 30 million people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution in winter which is estimated to reduce life expectancy for the capital’s residents by up to seven years.