India's capital city of Delhi has virtually shut down as air pollution hit "severe plus" levels, according to Indian government officials in its pollution control authority.

In several areas of the city, pollution levels were more than 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. Forecasts say the poor air quality will continue into the week.

Delhi recorded air pollution more than 17 times above an acceptable level as worsening smog triggered curbs on trucking and shuttered construction sites and schools.

Air pollution in India's capital Delhi has soared to extremely severe levels, choking residents and engulfing the city in thick smog.Monitors recorded pollution levels of 1,500 at 15:00 IST (10:30 BST),

While Delhi continues to be covered in a thick layer of smog, vehicular pollution is a much discussed topic with the role of EVs reducing it in the future

India said on Sunday that it would tighten restrictions including on construction activities and vehicle movements in New Delhi and surrounding areas from Monday to combat worsening air quality. The new measures,