Rain Provides Relief from Smog in Indian Capital

Overnight rain in New Delhi has brought some relief from the toxic air pollution that has plagued the city, improving the air quality index (AQI) to 158 on Friday. The local government has postponed its decision to restrict vehicle use, which was scheduled between November 13-20, due to the improved conditions. The government plans to review the decision after Diwali, when firecrackers contribute to a spike in pollution. Kolkata and Mumbai in India have also seen improvements in air quality due to rain, while Lahore in Pakistan has reopened markets but kept other establishments closed until Monday. The worsening air quality in India has raised concerns during the cricket World Cup.