Alarm Bells Ringing
Delhi’s air quality has turned ‘severe’ for the first time this season, with the Air Quality Index soaring to 418.
Widespread Concern
Thirty out of 36 monitoring stations reported air quality in the ‘severe’ category, sparking concerns among residents and authorities.
Classification of AQI
The Central Pollution Control Board classifies AQI between 0-50 as “good”, 51-100 as “satisfactory”, 101-200 as “moderate”, 201-300 as “poor”, 301-400 as “very poor”, and over 400 as “severe”.
Deteriorating Conditions
A dense fog blanketed Delhi, reducing visibility to zero at the Delhi airport, while calm winds prevailed across the region.
Temperature Drop
The city’s temperature dropped to 17 degrees Celsius, with the IMD warning of further drops due to smog blocking sunlight.
Pollution Roots
Delhi battles severe pollution every winter, trapped by cold, heavy air laden with dust, emissions, and smoke from illegal farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.
Call to Action
The Delhi BJP urged the government to close schools up to Class 5 due to deteriorating air quality, criticizing the ruling AAP for inaction.
Children’s Safety
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva emphasized the need to shut down private and government schools to safeguard children’s health.
Government Under Pressure
The Delhi government faces mounting pressure to address the severe pollution crisis and ensure residents’ well-being.
A City in Crisis
Delhi’s severe air pollution demands immediate attention and collective action from authorities, residents, and neighboring states.
Seeking Solutions
For more information on Delhi’s air quality and potential solutions, consider exploring online resources or consulting environmental experts.