In brief
Residents are urged to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities as severe air quality alerts persist.
Heavy smog has enveloped New Delhi, prompting urgent measures from local authorities as air pollution reaches alarming levels. In response to hazardous air quality readings, which soared over 1,600 on the IQAir index, New Delhi's schools have been closed, and residents are advised to remain indoors. The dangerous smog, which has plagued neighboring Punjab in Pakistan for weeks, was described by Delhi officials as a medical emergency affecting 55 million people. Both New Delhi and Punjab have long battled severe air pollution, particularly in late fall when farmers burn leftover rice stubble. This year's pollution has surpassed typical levels, with Punjab experiencing record-breaking readings. As a result, authorities in Pakistan have restricted outdoor events, canceled classes, and advised workers to remain at home, while schools in Punjab have faced closures for weeks.In Delhi, measures have become more stringent as air quality declined, including the transition to online classes for primary schools and a ban on diesel trucks entering the city. The air pollution is largely attributed to crop burning practices in both India and Pakistan, while cooler weather traps pollutants, preventing them from dispersing. While the situation remains dire, the duration of current restrictions is still undetermined as efforts intensify to tackle the smog crisis.
