In the city, Varanasi, air quality deteriorated sharply on Wednesday with maintaining hazardous trend for the third consecutive day with a 202-point rise in pollution levels within 24 hours.

As per the real-time Air Quality Index recorded at Orderly Bazar station of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Wednesday, the city's air quality index (AQI) was 753, while the AQI was recorded 551 on Tuesday. It suggests for wearing a N95 mask while going outdoors.

Although it was clear sky on Wednesday morning with shallow fog and poor smog situation but the air quality turned poor in late afternoon and worse in the evening, mostly due to congestion. The weatherman has predicted smog-filled air to prevail in city for next 48 hours or so. As per the weather forecasting by Indian Meteorological Department, there will be shallow fog until November 12 followed by smog or mist in the coming days.

Meanwhile, people continued to breathe the smog-filled air and the commuters remained the worst sufferers. Several people could be seen covering their faces with scarfs or cloth while some were seen wearing masks to reduce exposure to the toxic air.