New Delhi chokes as air pollution reaches ‘severe’ levels

NEW DELHI: Residents of New Delhi awoke to a grim scene on Friday as a dense layer of toxic haze enveloped the city, leading authorities to order the closure of some schools for two days due to the deteriorating air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in various parts of the Indian capital entered the “severe” category, exacerbating health concerns for the city’s 20 million inhabitants.

The annual winter smog crisis in Delhi is attributed to a combination of factors, including cold, stagnant air that traps construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from crop stubble burning in neighbouring states. This hazardous mix results in a surge in respiratory illnesses among the population.

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Complaints of eye irritation and scratchy throats were widespread among residents, with the air taking on a dense grey appearance. The AQI reached approximately 480 at some monitoring stations, a level that is considered detrimental to the health of both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing conditions. In comparison, an AQI of 0-50 is classified as “good.”

In a disconcerting development, New Delhi claimed the top spot on a real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities compiled by the Swiss group IQAir, with the city’s AQI soaring to 611, categorizing it as “hazardous.”

The region’s Commission for Air Quality Management attributed the sudden spike in AQI to unfavorable meteorological conditions, an increase in farm fire incidents, and north-westerly winds transporting pollutants into the city.

In response to the escalating air pollution crisis, authorities mandated the closure of primary and elementary schools for both Friday and Saturday. Additionally, most construction activities in the region have been halted to mitigate further pollution. Some suppliers of air purifier filters reported shortages as demand surged.

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This year, New Delhi’s deteriorating air quality has cast a shadow over the cricket World Cup hosted by India, with Mumbai also experiencing a spike in pollution levels. New Delhi is set to host a World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Monday.

Notably, in the previous year, Bhiwadi in northern India ranked as the country’s most polluted city and third in the world, according to IQAir’s data. New Delhi secured the fourth spot, while Pakistan’s Lahore and China’s Hotan claimed the top positions on the list of the most polluted cities worldwide.