Due to hazardous pollution, authorities in New Delhi ordered primary schools to close on Saturday and instructed schools to suspend outdoor activities for older students. The reason is that the air in the world’s most polluted capital had become a serious health risk.
Every winter, filthy smog forms over the Indian capital. Cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from crop stubble burning in neighboring states, causing an increase in respiratory illnesses among the city’s 20 million residents.
The air quality index (AQI) surpassed 400!
Today, the air quality index (AQI) surpassed 400. It put most districts of the capital territory in the severe or hazardous category. That’s why Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed schools to take action. He also warned more measures to be implemented to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads.
The federal pollution control board of India has prohibited diesel trucks carrying non-essential goods from entering the capital. The Delhi administration suspended most construction and demolition work in the region earlier this week.
It is the same with years.
Employees will work from home due to pollution
Gopal Rai, Delhi’s environment minister, said that going forward, 50% of Delhi government employees will work from home, and he urged private companies to follow this step.
The local government in Noida ordered yesterday all schools to hold online classes for students up to the eighth grade. Noida is a Delhi satellite city
Concerned parents and environmentalists use social media to demand the closing of some schools. Residents complained of the difficulty of breathing and irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat.
When the AQI exceeds 400, even healthy people can be affected. Those with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable, the federal government warned.
New Delhi is the world’s No.1 capital in pollution
For the past four years, New Delhi has been the world’s most polluted capital, according to data compiled by the Swiss group IQAir.
According to Google Trends, there has been a surge in searches for air purifiers in the city over the last few days. The residents seek ways to breathe cleaner air at least at home.
The National Human Rights Commission of India has asked the chief secretaries of the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi to provide details on measures taken to combat the alarming levels of pollution by Thursday.