On Friday, air pollution in Delhi reached alarmingly high levels, ushering in the annual smog season with a dense and hazardous haze enveloping the national capital. Reports indicate that the city experienced air quality close to the maximum level of pollution, leading to several drastic measures being implemented.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, schools were shut down, and non-essential construction activities were prohibited. The air quality index in Delhi surged to nearly 500, which is a staggering 100 times above the limit considered healthy by the World Health Organization.
The recent surge in air pollution is attributed to several factors, including a significant increase in stubble burning by farmers in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana. Unfavorable wind patterns have transported pollutants into the capital, exacerbating the situation. Additionally, a drop in temperatures has trapped these particles in the atmosphere, further contributing to the crisis.
Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, announced the closure of all primary schools in the city for at least two days to protect children from the hazardous air quality.
Residents of the city, which boasts a population of 33 million, have reported discomfort, including eye irritation and itchy throats, as the air turned a dense shade of grey, as per the Daily Mail.
Local healthcare professionals have also raised concerns about the adverse health effects of the pollution, with some reporting visible damage to the well-being of Delhi's residents.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, pollution levels in Delhi for October reached their worst levels since 2020, solidifying the city's notorious reputation as one of the most polluted in the world.
This annual ordeal in Delhi is the result of a combination of factors, including the burning of crop stubble by farmers, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution. These elements converge every winter to shroud Delhi in a suffocating haze, posing serious health risks to its inhabitants.
A recent air quality life index, compiled by the University of Chicago's energy policy institute, has highlighted the grim reality that the people of Delhi could face a life expectancy reduction of 11.9 years due to the poor air quality they are exposed to, as reported by the Daily Mail.
(With Agency Inputs)
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