On Thursday, Delhi’s 20 million residents were effectively breathing smoke as the air quality index (AQI) breached the “severe” and “hazardous” categories in nearly all monitoring stations, prompting calls to close schools.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI exceeded 450 in many places early in the day. According to the federal government, a reading of 400 or higher affects healthy people while having serious consequences for those with pre-existing diseases.
According to data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the index was over 800 in some areas of the city. “What is happening with Delhi’s air pollution is nothing short of a crime against humanity!” author and socialite Suhel Seth tweeted. “There has been a complete breakdown in accountability!”
Every winter, the world’s most polluted capital is blanketed in smog as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from crop stubble burning in neighbouring states to clear the fields for the next crop. Lower temperatures, calmer winds, and changes in wind direction occasionally worsen air quality.
On social media, parents and environmentalists demanded that schools be closed. “I know children do not vote for you, but I am requesting all chief ministers of Delhi (capital region) to immediately SHUTDOWN all schools,” environmental activist Vimlendu Jha tweeted. “It is NOT NORMAL to breathe 500+ AQI, especially for our children, where every third child has some form of pulmonary disease.”
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi whose party also governs Punjab, where crop burning is common, said on Twitter that the “people of Punjab and Delhi are taking all steps at their level” to combat pollution. The capital halted most construction and demolition work this week to reduce dust pollution and urged residents to share car and motorcycle rides, work from home whenever possible, and reduce their use of coal and firewood at home.
