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Authorities in the Indian 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. The levels of PM2.5 - tiny particles that can clog people's lungs - in Delhi are far higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) safety guidelines. It's been blamed on various factors including the burning of farm stubble, on factory emissions, on traffic fumes, on general weather patterns, as well as the fireworks that light up the night sky during the Diwali festival. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ correspondent Salman Ravi reports from Delhi, where he says that he has been experiencing "teary eyes" and difficulty breathing, and that the high particulate readings are of most concern to residents and have led to children being taken to hospital. Photo: Stubble being burnt in Karnal, some 140kms north of New Delhi Credit: Getty Images