Authorities in the India capital, Delhi, have shut all schools and colleges indefinitely amid the worsening levels of air pollution.
Construction work has also been banned until 21 November but an exception has been made for transport and defence-related projects.
And only five of the 11 coal-based power plants in the city have been allowed to operate.
A toxic haze has smothered Delhi since the festival of Diwali.
This year, the pollution has become so dire that it prompted a stern warning from India’s Supreme Court, which directed state and federal governments to take “imminent and emergency” measures to tackle the problem.
Following the hearing, a meeting was called by Delhi’s Commission for Air Quality Management and emergency measures were announced.
Other measures announced by the panel include a ban on the entry of trucks in Delhi and neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan until 21 November, except those carrying essential commodities.
