An AQI drop caused poisonous smog and school closures in New Delhi, the worst big metropolis in the world. The city’s 20 million citizens suffered throat and eye irritation.
On Friday, New Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) dropped to the worst in the world, forcing some schools to close.
Lower temperatures, quiet wind, and agricultural stubble burning in neighboring farm states have raised air pollution, officials warned.
As the AQI hovered near 480 in several monitoring sites, many of the capital’s 20 million people complained of eye irritation and itching throats. The air turned a dense grey.
Good AQI is 0-50, while 400-500 affects healthy people and threatens those with diseases.
“In my last 24 hours duty, I saw babies coughing, children coming with distress and rapid breathing,” Delhi doctor Aheed Khan wrote on Twitter.
Media reported fewer people at jogger-friendly areas like Lodhi Garden and India Gate.
Residents bought air purifiers, and one service center reported new filters were anticipated on Monday due to a scarcity.
Officials reported no immediate air quality improvement.
“Stubble burning, slow wind speed, and cooling temperatures will keep this pollution level high for two to three weeks,” warned Delhi Pollution Control Committee head Ashwani Kumar.
After harvesting in October, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh farmers burn crop trash to clean their fields before sowing winter crops a few weeks later.
The cricket World Cup hosted by India has been overshadowed by rising air pollution in Mumbai, the financial center.
On Monday, Delhi will host a World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
New Delhi topped Swiss organization IQAir’s real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities on Friday, with an AQI of 611 in the ‘hazardous’ category, followed by Lahore at 277.
Junior schools in New Delhi were closed on Friday and Saturday, but those in the suburbs were open. Children had to wear masks they had stored since the COVID-19 outbreak on their school buses.
Conclusion
Public health is threatened by Delhi’s air pollution. The air quality index (AQI) in this big metropolis is the worst in the world, and many citizens have respiratory issues. The government has closed schools and taken other steps to improve air quality, but the situation is set to worsen for the next few weeks.
The air pollution comes from agricultural stubble burning in neighboring farm states, cooler temperatures, and motionless wind. The government has addressed these concerns, but more must be done to protect Delhi’s citizens’ health.
The Monday World Cup cricket match in Delhi may be hampered by air pollution. Players and spectators may experience respiratory issues. The government should postpone the match or take other health precautions.
Delhi’s air pollution is a major issue that must be addressed immediately. Delhi’s citizens’ health and air pollution reduction require government and public cooperation.
The Delhi government can minimize air pollution by doing these:
Enforce higher automobile and industry emissions requirements.
Promote public transit and EVs.
Plant additional trees and plants.
Give farmers money to reduce agricultural stubble burning.
Spread air pollution awareness and how to reduce it.Delhi residents can lessen air pollution by doing these:
Use public transit or EVs whenever possible.
Do not drive during rush hours.
Reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Plant trees and other plants in their homes and neighborhoods.
Use home air purifiers.
