How Delhi is reacting to toxic pollution levels
The National Capital Region is facing an utter nightmare in the form of rising air pollution levels that have spiked to extremely severe levels. Since the beginning of the week, residents have had to navigate through clouds of thick smog and fight the threat of inhaling poisonous gases, dust, and particulate matter to merely carry on with their daily lives.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has categorised the air pollution levels recorded in Delhi as "severe" and doctors in the capital have warned of a public health emergency and urged people to not go out or risk chronic lung and heart diseases.
With winter just round the corner, and no concrete plan of action in sight, it looks safe to assume that things will only get worse for Dilliwalas in the coming days.
The authorities on their part have been slow to respond to this health emergency with the Delhi government shutting down all primary schools within the city until the end of the week, and the NGT only today (November 9) issuing the much-needed diktat banning all industrial activities in Delhi for now.
But despite these steps, a quick look at the alarming numbers – pollution levels spiking to 70 times the World Health Organisation’s safe level – reveals that much more will be needed before the hapless residents of the city and its satellite towns can be promised breathable air.
With the situation so dire, and a trip to Jantar Mantar a health hazard, many have taken to protesting against the situation from the relatively safer environment of their bedrooms.
Twitter, especially, has been abuzz with netizens expressing their anger and despair – both in equal measure – against the inaction of the authorities that has seen them being put right in the middle of this toxic gas chamber called Delhi.
