On Friday, New Delhi was enveloped in a thick layer of toxic haze, leading to the closure of some schools for two days as the air quality index (AQI) surged into the “severe” category across parts of the Indian capital.
A dense smog settles over Delhi each winter, trapping construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from crop stubble burning in neighboring states, exacerbating respiratory problems for the city’s 20 million residents.
On Friday, the air quality worsened significantly, with the AQI reaching around 480 in some areas, turning the air a murky grey.
An AQI reading of 0-50 is deemed good, while levels between 400-500 are harmful to healthy individuals and pose serious risks to those with pre-existing health conditions.
The air quality index hits hazardous levels, overshadowing the ongoing Cricket World Cup.New Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 611 in the ‘hazardous’ category, topping the list of the world’s most polluted cities according to Swiss group IQAir.
The Commission for Air Quality Management attributed the spike in pollution to unfavorable meteorological conditions, increased farm fires, and north-westerly winds carrying pollutants into Delhi.
In response, authorities have closed primary schools on Friday and Saturday and suspended most construction work. Air purifier filters have become scarce due to a surge in demand.
The deteriorating air quality has also overshadowed the ongoing cricket World Cup in India. Mumbai, the financial capital, is also experiencing a rise in pollution levels.
Delhi is scheduled to host a World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Monday. Last year, Bhiwadi was noted as the most polluted city in India and third globally, with New Delhi ranking fourth.