Delhi’s air pollution crisis reaches hazardous levels, forcing schools to close and flights to be canceled as residents struggle to breathe.
At a Glance
- Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 1,500, 15 times above WHO’s satisfactory level
- Schools closed, flights disrupted, and construction halted due to “severe plus” pollution
- PM 2.5 levels peaked above 950 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding WHO recommendations
- Government implements emergency measures, including vehicle restrictions and remote work promotion
- Residents report health issues and call for protests against toxic air quality
Delhi Chokes on ‘Severe Plus’ Air Pollution
India’s capital, Delhi, is suffocating under a blanket of toxic smog as air pollution levels soar to catastrophic heights. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has skyrocketed to 1,500, a staggering 15 times above the World Health Organization’s satisfactory level. This pollution crisis has thrown daily life into chaos, with schools shuttered, flights grounded, and construction work halted.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has rated the air quality as “Beyond the AQI,” a stark indicator of the severity of the situation. Visibility has plummeted to around 100 meters, enveloping the city in a thick, hazardous haze. The pollution levels have reached such extreme levels that they pose an immediate threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
Delhi's air quality worsened to the 'severe plus' category on Monday with the city recording an AQI of 484. #DelhiPollution https://t.co/iZd2vWsmBF
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) November 18, 2024
Government Scrambles to Address Crisis
In response to this environmental emergency, Delhi authorities have implemented Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This includes banning non-essential trucks from entering the city, halting construction activities, and promoting remote work for government employees. However, these measures seem inadequate in the face of such overwhelming pollution levels.
“Air pollution in India’s capital Delhi has soared to extremely severe levels, choking residents and engulfing the city in thick smog,” a statement from the World Health Organization reads.
Delhi’s Chief Minister has pointed fingers at unchecked stubble burning in neighboring states, accusing the BJP of inaction. This annual practice, combined with low wind speeds and other factors, contributes significantly to Delhi’s pollution woes from October to January. Nearly 40% of the city’s pollution is attributed to this illegal crop residue burning.
Health Crisis Unfolds
The health implications of this pollution crisis are severe and wide-ranging. Doctors report a surge in patients with pollution-related health issues, advising vulnerable groups to stay indoors and wear N95 masks when venturing outside. The concentration of PM 2.5, the most dangerous air pollutant, has reached levels 60 times higher than WHO’s safe limits.
Residents are reporting difficulty breathing and eye irritation, with many calling for protests against the government’s perceived inaction. The situation has become so dire that even the Supreme Court has advised its staff to wear masks, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
And while all this is happening, the left is telling Republicans here in the U.S. that we are the problem.
