In brief
As Delhi's air quality deteriorates drastically, the city grapples with severe pollution levels, prompting school closures and work-from-home policies. Experts warn that immediate action is vital to manage the ongoing crisis.
Air pollution in Delhi has escalated to alarming highs, with readings soaring to 1,500 as of 15:00 IST on Monday, according to tech firm IQAir—these figures are a staggering 15 times above the levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). The dense smog has enveloped the city, severely impacting the daily lives of its residents. Flight operations have been disrupted while authorities have reacted by shutting schools and halting construction activities. This crisis comes shortly after Lahore, neighboring Pakistan, also reported pollution levels exceeding 1,000. Environmental experts indicate that without immediate and stringent measures, Delhi’s air quality may further decline in the coming days. The city is currently under the "severe plus" alert, according to India's pollution control authority, as measurements earlier in the day registered above 450.In response, officials have restricted the entry of non-essential trucks and requested that private sector offices operate with only 50% of their workforce. Last week, the government prohibited the use of coal and firewood, as well as diesel generators for non-emergency purposes.Delhi, like other northern regions of India and parts of Pakistan, historically battles hazardous air quality from October to January due to factors such as low temperatures, smoke, dust, vehicular emissions, and crop stubble burning. Despite annual interventions, the pollution crisis remains persistent.Delhi's Chief Minister, Atishi, declared a "medical emergency" for northern India caused by ongoing stubble burning, particularly in adjacent states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The Chief Minister criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to address this issue over the past five years. The BJP, however, has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of not effectively managing pollution levels in the capital.Residents are left to cope in this crisis, with many expressing their distress online. One user noted waking up with a painful throat, stating their air purifiers were ineffective, while another called for a large protest against the toxic air they are forced to breathe.
