Despite improvements seen since the previous day, where levels soared to 1,785, breathing remains a challenge for Delhi's inhabitants. The pervasive smog has hidden sunlight and worsened health conditions, impacting daily lives and livelihoods. Auto-rickshaw driver Vikram Singh, 58, expressed the toll on his body and income, noting a drop in earnings during peak pollution periods.
The annual pollution crisis typically coincides with the onset of winter in northern India, yet the government's response appears insufficient. Political leaders often resort to temporary emergency measures but fail to tackle the underlying issues, opting instead for blame-shifting and legal tussles.
In response to the latest pollution surge, Delhi's chief minister, Atishi, declared a "medical emergency". Concomitantly, the Supreme Court criticized the national government for their sluggish responses, implementing measures such as halting construction work and restricting vehicle access, with school closures instituted to safeguard students.
For many residents, the emergency measures evoke memories of the COVID-19 lockdowns. While some citizens toggle between work-from-home setups and mandating mask use, others like Debu Jyoti Dey, finance director at a nonprofit, are forced to navigate through the toxic air with makeshift coverings, struggling to find any form of refuge from the pollution.
The annual pollution crisis typically coincides with the onset of winter in northern India, yet the government's response appears insufficient. Political leaders often resort to temporary emergency measures but fail to tackle the underlying issues, opting instead for blame-shifting and legal tussles.
In response to the latest pollution surge, Delhi's chief minister, Atishi, declared a "medical emergency". Concomitantly, the Supreme Court criticized the national government for their sluggish responses, implementing measures such as halting construction work and restricting vehicle access, with school closures instituted to safeguard students.
For many residents, the emergency measures evoke memories of the COVID-19 lockdowns. While some citizens toggle between work-from-home setups and mandating mask use, others like Debu Jyoti Dey, finance director at a nonprofit, are forced to navigate through the toxic air with makeshift coverings, struggling to find any form of refuge from the pollution.
