In brief
As toxic smog envelops New Delhi and parts of Pakistan, local governments have declared medical emergencies, closing schools and urging people to stay indoors. Air quality has plummeted to hazardous levels, triggering widespread health warnings.
Heavy smog has once again gripped New Delhi, India's capital, triggering an emergency response from authorities as the air quality plummets to alarming levels, according to IQAir. Schools have been closed and the government has issued advisories urging residents to remain indoors amid what officials call a medical emergency. The metropolitan area, home to approximately 55 million people, recorded some of the worst air pollution in the world on Monday, with an air quality index surpassing 1,600, well into the hazardous range.Atishi Marlena, the chief minister of Delhi, stated, “All of North India has been plunged into a medical emergency,” highlighting the severity of the situation. The toxic smog outbreak is not confined to India; it has also engulfed parts of Pakistan, where authorities have banned outdoor activities, canceled classes, and advised workers to remain at home.Traditionally, late fall sees a surge in air pollution across northern India and Pakistan, often due to the burning of straw by farmers post-harvest. However, this year's conditions have been notably severe, with Punjab province in Pakistan reporting record pollution levels exceeding 1,000 on the IQAir index. Punjab had already closed some schools several weeks ago and expanded these measures to include bans on outdoor events and construction activities, stating that an alarming increase in respiratory problems had been noted among citizens.Delhi officials have also taken significant action, having announced that primary schools would shift to online classes, and debilitating construction work would be halted in an effort to mitigate pollution levels. Further measures were introduced over the weekend in response to the worsening situation, including the online transition of some secondary school classes and a ban on diesel trucks entering the city.Experts have pointed to the practice of stubble burning by farmers as a primary contributor to the air quality crisis, while also noting that climatic factors such as falling temperatures exacerbate pollution by trapping it in the air. The ongoing crisis poses a significant health risk for millions living in these densely populated regions, prompting a strong call for urgent measures to address the pollution epidemic.
