China’s smog — which routinely engulfs major cities like Beijing and Shanghai — is notorious, and it’s recently reached “danger levels.” But the the smog in New Delhi, The New York Times reports, is actually worse.
The air in New Delhi “is more laden with dangerous small particles of pollution, more often, than Beijing’s,” Gardiner Harris writes, and “a very bad air day in Beijing is about an average one in New Delhi.”
The death rate due to chronic respiratory diseases is higher in India than anywhere else in the world.
It was big news when a measure of the concentration of fine particulate matter — the very dangerous air pollution that is absorbed into your lungs — climbed over 500 in Beijing. But Delhi had already reached those “danger levels” on eight separate days this year, Harris writes.
Here’s what smoggy Delhi looks like on the ground.
A New Delhi sunset. “The air was so full of smog particles,” the photographer wrote, “that the sun often disappeared completely into the fog.”
Here the morning smog is so thick you can barely make out the famous Jama Masjid in the distance.
Delhi’s smog viewed from above.
B Mathur / Reuters
India’s presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, engulfed in smog.
Mansi Thaplyial / Reuters
Thick smog hangs over Delhi’s polluted river Yamun
Chinese couple braves toxic smog for wedding photos, look like something out of a horror movie
Days of thick smog leave Shanghai residents gasping for fresh air
Measure Asia’s Air Pollution with a Map Based on the Length of Your Nasal Hair!
Air quality in Beijing now so poor that sunrises are being broadcast on giant TV screens [UPDATED]
Could Serious Smog Problems See China Moving Its Capital Away from Beijing?
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
What’s the deal with these new nose gadgets Chinese policemen are wearing?