Toxic smog blankets New Delhi, disrupting travel and plunging air quality to hazardous levels
NEW DELHI (AP) — Intense toxic smoke The smog blanketed India’s national capital on Monday, pushing air pollution levels to their worst in weeks, disrupting travel and prompting authorities to impose the strictest control measures.
More than 40 flights were canceled and dozens were delayed. More than 50 trains arriving and departing New Delhi were delayed by several hours, officials said.
Health experts warned residents to avoid all outdoor activities as hospitals reported an influx of patients with breathing difficulties and eye irritation.
“New Delhi is a gas chamber right now. Air purifiers can only do so much good, so it’s time for the government to find permanent solutions,” said Naresh Dang, a doctor from Max Healthcare.
Air pollution levels in Delhi have remained at what the federal government calls “severe” for the past two days; The government says it can cause respiratory effects in healthy people and seriously affect the health of people with heart or lung disease.
Official index readings on Sunday stood at over 450 at various monitoring stations, up from 430 on Saturday, the highest so far in the winter season, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. It was at 449 on Monday. Readings below 50 are considered good. During periods of severe air pollution, the government advises people to avoid going out as much as possible and to wear N95 masks when going out. Children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular problems are at higher risk, and officials advise them to be extra careful.
Tourist Tiam Patel said, “I have never seen this kind of pollution. I came to Delhi last year and the air was polluted. This year it has become even more polluted. I can feel the smoke while breathing the air.”
To prevent pollution, Indian authorities banned construction activities and restricted the use of diesel generators and cars. Water sprinklers were installed to control the fog. Schools and offices are allowing many students and employees to stay at home.
But environmentalists say the country’s air pollution crisis requires long-term changes.
Home to more than 30 million people, New Delhi and its surrounding areas routinely rank among the world’s most polluted areas. India has six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities, and New Delhi is the most polluted national capital. a report From Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQAir earlier this year.
Air quality in New Delhi worsens every winter as farmers burn crop residues in nearby states and low temperatures trap smoke; smog also mixes with pollution from vehicles, construction activities and industrial emissions. Pollution levels often reach 20 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
However, Delhi-based environmentalist Vimlendu Jha said the air was not healthy even at other times of the year.
“Delhi’s air is not getting clean at all, we see this visibly only from October to December, but the reality is that it remains polluted throughout the year,” he said.
Earlier this month, New Delhi residents staged protests Expressing disappointment and anger about the government’s failure to address pollution.
A study by the medical journal Lancet last year found that long-term exposure to polluted air causes 1.5 million additional deaths every year in India.
“Deaths due to air pollution are not counted. The reason they are not counted is because there are no systematic mechanisms to do this,” said Shweta Narayan, campaign leader for the Global Climate and Health Alliance.
Indian officials conducted an October seeding a controversial cloud Experiment on smog-choked New Delhi to make rain and clear the air poisonous air of the city. The experiment ended before it rained.
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Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India. AP video correspondent Piyush Nagpal contributed to the report.
