The authorities have decided to shut all primary schools in and around the Indian capital, New Delhi, from Saturday due to worsening air pollution.

Monitoring stations in the capital on Friday recorded that PM2.5 rose to 30 times the World Health Organization's safety guideline.

Authorities are considering restricting daytime driving. They are also urging a temporary halt of all construction work in and around the capital.

The worsening air quality is also posing a serious health threat. A hospital in the capital says it has been receiving patients with sore throats and coughs over the past week.

The influx coincided with the Hindu festival Diwali where large numbers of people spent time outdoors to celebrate.

New Delhi is said to have some of the world's worst air quality.

The situation is particularly bad this time of year. The burning of fields by farmers, fireworks for the Hindu festivals and vehicle emissions all contribute to a worsening of the situation.