India’s capital sees air pollution up to 50 times the safe limit – National
Authorities in India’s capital closed schools, halted construction and barred non-essential trucks from entering the city on Monday after air pollution rose to its worst this season.
Residents of New Delhi woke up to thick, toxic smog engulfing the city of about 33 million as air quality worsened. It has risen to the critical category, according to SAFAR, the country’s largest environmental agency, which measures particles in the air that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Deathly darkness enveloped the capital’s monuments and skyscrapers, appearing so low that airlines warned of delays.
In several areas of the city, pollution levels were 50 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization. Forecasters say the low air quality will continue through the week.
Air pollution in northern India increases every year, especially in winter, as farmers burn crop residues in their fields. Burning is accompanied by cold temperatures, which trap smoke in the air. The smoke is then blown into cities, where vehicle emissions add to the pollution.
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Emissions from factories and the burning of coal to generate electricity are also linked to the pollution, which has continued for weeks.
Starting Monday, authorities began enforcing phase 4 of the standardized response plan, or GRAP 4, based on the severity of air pollution. The previous stages of the program were already in place, and stage 4 included strong barriers.
Classes for all grades except 10th and 12th will be conducted online and no trucks will be allowed to enter the city except those carrying essential items. Some old, diesel-powered vehicles have been banned within the city, and all construction activities have been halted. Authorities also urged children, the elderly and others with chronic illnesses or respiratory problems to avoid going outside as much as possible.
Over the weekend, farmers in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh burned their fields, sending out gray smoke that may have drifted into New Delhi and other nearby areas. Despite the toxic air, many in the capital went about their normal routines, including morning walks in the city’s popular Lodhi Garden.
“Everyone has a sore throat,” says Sanjay Goel, a 51-year-old shopkeeper in New Delhi. “They have to prevent the burning of crop residues … it’s smoking everywhere.”
The drop in air quality in the capital has also sparked anger among residents on social media. Many complained of headaches and coughs, describing the city as “apocalyptic” and a “gas chamber.” Others urged officials to permanently solve this public health problem. Several studies estimate that more than a million Indians die each year from pollution-related diseases.
Authorities have used similar measures in the past and have sometimes deployed water sprinklers and smoke cannons in an effort to control the haze. But critics say there needs to be a long-term solution that significantly reduces the pollution itself, rather than actions aimed at mitigating the effects after it has hit the region.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
