International
Delhi Closes All Primary Schools As Toxic Smog Puts Lives At Risk
Due to worsening air pollution, all primary schools in Delhi will be closed, officials have announced. The city’s chief minister, Atishi Marlena Singh, shared the update on X, revealing that classes will be held online until further notice due to thick smog enveloping the capital.
Delhi and nearby cities are experiencing hazardous levels of pollution, with fine particulate matter in the air exceeding 50 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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On Thursday, the air quality index (AQI) showed alarming levels of PM2.5 — fine particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs — with an average of 254 micrograms per cubic meter, far beyond the safe limit of 15 set by WHO.
In addition to the dense smog, PM10 levels — larger particles — reached an average of 495 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 10 times the daily safe threshold.
Experts warn that exposure to such high levels of particulate pollution can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and delay development in children.
The pollution, primarily caused by a combination of cold temperatures, vehicle emissions, crop-burning practices, and limited wind flow, is a recurring issue during the winter months in Delhi and northern India.
Areas like Gurugram, Noida, and Chandigarh are also facing similarly hazardous air quality.
Residents have reported eye irritations and difficulty breathing, while studies such as one published in The Lancet suggest that a significant percentage of daily deaths in Delhi can be attributed to fine particulate pollution.
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Although authorities have taken steps, such as spraying water on roads and banning non-essential construction, many critics argue these measures have been insufficient in tackling the root causes of pollution.
Satellite images from NASA recently showed the smog’s extensive reach across northern India and into Pakistan, where air pollution in Lahore has also prompted school closures.
While pollution levels are expected to improve in the coming days, they are still forecasted to remain unhealthy.
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