Byrnihat, a town in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, has been ranked as the most polluted place in the world, according to the World Air Quality Report 2024 released on Tuesday by Swiss-based air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

The report reveals that Byrnihat recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, overtaking the Indian capital, Delhi, which ranked second with a PM2.5 level of 108.3 micrograms per cubic meter.

Situated along the Assam-Meghalaya border, Byrnihat has seen rapid industrial growth in recent years, with a concentration of cement factories, distilleries, and steel plants contributing to dangerously high pollution levels.

The report also underscores a broader trend, noting that six of the nine most polluted cities in the world are located in India, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with deteriorating air quality.