Sharp Decline In Delhi’s Air Quality
As Delhi and the National Capital Region saw a sharp decline in air quality levels and recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) declared the city in a public health emergency state and urged schools to stop all outdoor activities to keep children out of hazardous air pollution levels.
While talking to ANI, IMA president KK Aggarwal further suggested that schools must be shut and people must stop stepping out.
India Todayaccessed a copy of the IMA letter addressed to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi minister Manish Sisodia and Aggarwal wrote, “children are more prone to harmful effects of air pollution as their lungs are still growing… Breathing polluted air can hamper the growth of their lungs leading to breathing problems later on in life.” The IMA has also requested Kejriwal to cancel the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon scheduled for 19 November, according to DNA.
“The air quality is particularly poor in the early morning when pollution is extremely high. This is also the time when the proposed Half Marathon is scheduled to start. The hazardous pollution levels may have disastrous health consequences, even for the healthy participants,” said the letter, according to the DNA report.
India Today further reported that the letter said when the Air Quality Index crosses 200, time spent outdoors should be restricted. The city’s air has witnessed a rise in the air pollutant level with Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) being 411 at 9 am on Tuesday morning, as per News18. According to reports, visibility dropped to 200 metre at 8.30 am. Mathura Road was at 441, which is one of the highest in the city.
In Noida, AQI was 430 at 9.30 am. Low visibility in the city resulted in slow traffic, reported Hindustan Timeswhile adding that long traffic queues were seen on the Delhi-Noida-Delhi Flyway and Noida-Greater Noida expressway. Over 20 flights were delayed or affected due to runway closure and smog at Indira Gandhi International Airport, reported ANI.
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