To combat worsening air quality, India's government has banned non-essential construction and encouraged residents to avoid burning coal for heating.

In a bid to combat the rising air pollution and smog levels in the federal capital, the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner chaired a meeting with assistant commissioners, the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) and the Excise Department to announce stricter measures to reduce harmful emissions citywide.

Residents of India's capital New Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog Wednesday as worsening air pollution surged past 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum.