Worry over toxic Delhi air as pollution worsens

Pollution levels in India's capital have reached "very poor" category. (Getty Images) Delhi, October 28 — Air quality in India's capital Delhi has deteriorated to severe and extremely poor levels in the past few days, data shows. Pollution levels crossed 25-30 times the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended safe limit at several locations in the city last week. Experts have warned that the situation will worsen in the coming days due to weather conditions, use of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali on Thursday and burning of crop remains in neighbouring states. Delhi and several northern...

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Delhi chokes as air pollution turns 'severe'

Delhi was the most polluted capital city in the world in 2023, according to a study. (Getty Images) Delhi, November 13 — People in India's capital Delhi woke up to a thick layer of smog as the air quality deteriorated to severe levels in the city. Delhi and its neighbouring cities are experiencing pollution levels that are at least 30-35 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed,...

Delhi chokes as air pollution turns 'severe'

People in India's capital Delhi woke up to a thick layer of smog as the air quality deteriorated to severe levels in the city. Delhi and its neighbouring cities are experiencing pollution levels that are at least 30-35 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Air pollution in Delhi reaches alarming level

The pollution in and around Delhi has reached an alarming level as the air quality index (AQI) has been recorded as very poor on Wednesday.

Air pollution in Delhi reaches alarming level

The pollution in and around Delhi has reached an alarming level as the air quality index (AQI) has been recorded as very poor on Wednesday.

Blanket of smoke covers Delhi as air pollution worsens

A blanket of smog engulfed the national capital on Saturday morning as the pollution level deteriorated to the "poor" category ahead of Diwali.

Blanket of smoke covers Delhi as air pollution worsens

A blanket of smog engulfed the national capital on Saturday morning as the pollution level deteriorated to the "poor" category ahead of Diwali.

Delhi: Six months in jail for those bursting firecrackers on Diwali

Oct 20: The government has also imposed a fine of 200 Indian rupees ($2.41; £2.15) on those caught bursting firecrackers. The rules are part of a broader ban on firecrackers announced in September to help curb extreme pollution. Delhi is the world's most polluted capital. Various factors such as factory emissions, traffic fumes, and general weather patterns contribute to the high pollution levels in the city. The air turns particularly toxic every winter when farmers in neighbouring states burn crop stubble. And fireworks during the Hindu festival Diwali worsen the air quality as low wind speeds trap the pollutants in the lower atmosphere. The smog-filled air, which covers the city during this time, contains dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter called PM2.5 - tiny particles that can clog lungs and cause a host of diseases. This year too, air quality is expected to dip to the "very poor" category ahead of the festival on 24 October, due to calm winds and the stable atmospheric conditions. On the air quality index or AQI, a figure between 301-400 is considered "very poor" while zero and 50 is considered "good". In September, the Delhi government had imposed a complete ban on the production, sale and use of all types of firecrackers till 1 January - a practice it has followed for the last two years. Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that anyone found storing or selling fireworks will face a fine of up to 5,000 rupees and three years jail. He added that the government has set up 408 teams - comprising police officials and pollution officers - to implement the rules. Hours later, the police seized over 2,200kg of firecrackers from across the city, Times of India newspaper reported. "A public awareness campaign will also be run on October 21 to sensitise citizens about the ban," Mr Rai said. Many, however, have criticised the move, saying it is unfair and harsh. Some have also called the ban "anti-Hindu". "Why [are] only Hindu festivals causing pollution. If people in Delhi burst crackers for 3-4 hours, how does it matter?" a social media user wrote on Twitter. Over the years, celebratory fireworks during Diwali has become a sensitive topic in India, with many Hindus arguing that a cracker ban is discriminatory. Several celebrities, who have done anti-cracker campaigns, have been also accused of hurting religious sentiments.

Schools, gov't offices shut for week in New Delhi due to air pollution

NEW DELHI, Nov. 14: All schools will be shut in the Indian capital New Delhi for a week in the wake of current "Severe" levels of air pollution, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. The schools will remain closed with effect from Monday, he told reporters following an emergency meeting with top officials, adding that government officials will be working from home for a week, and private offices were also advised to follow suit. The chief minister said his government was working on a proposal for lockdown in New Delhi. "(I) Will present the plan to the Supreme Court," Kejriwal said. Construction activities will be prohibited in the capital city on Nov. 14-17, the chief minister said. According to him, the pollution level was rising in New Delhi "due to stubble burning in neighboring states" and called upon all stakeholders to work together to combat it. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Friday advised government and private offices in New Delhi to cut down their vehicular usage by at least 30 percent. The CPCB issued an advisory urging people to limit their outdoor activities and minimize their exposure to the air in the city. New Delhi recorded its worst air quality index (AQI) level this season on Friday with a 24-hour average of 471, according to media reports. The AQI in the capital remained in the "Severe" category on Saturday morning, with the AQI being recorded at 473.