India: The Indian capital, Delhi, has shut down all primary schools for two days due to worsening levels of air pollution. According to authorities, air quality in the city dropped to severe levels for the first time this season.
Scientists stated that “it is expected to deteriorate further in the next two weeks.” Mr. Gopal Rai, the environment minister of Delhi, has called an emergency meeting to review the situation in the capital, which is one of the world’s most polluted cities.
Delhi’s air turns especially toxic in winter due to several factors, including the burning of crop remains by farmers, low wind speeds, and the bursting of firecrackers during festivals.
Reports from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee previously showed that “the city’s air pollution peaks from November 1–15, due to the increased number of stubble burning incidents in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.”
According to government records, the concentration of PM2.5, a fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause a host of diseases, recently exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter by seven to eight times in several parts of the city and its suburbs.
Delhi Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal announced that all government and private primary schools in the city would remain closed for two days.
Climate & Clean Air Coalition
Furthermore, as part of the third phase of its Graded Response Action Plan to tackle the effects of increased pollution, a central pollution control panel ordered an immediate ban on non-essential construction work in the city. In the second phase implemented earlier, all public transport services, including the Delhi metro and electric bus services, were instructed to increase their frequency to curb vehicle emissions.
According to reports, polluted air causes severe health issues for Delhi residents every year. Additionally, health professionals confirmed increasing cases of asthma and lung issues among children and the elderly because of the worsening air quality.