Toxic smog wreathes India's capital as winter nears


People taking pictures on a boat on the Yamuna river on a smoggy morning in New Delhi on Nov 4, 2024. - Reuters

NEW DELHI: A toxic smog shrouded the Indian capital on Tuesday (Nov 4), driving air quality in some areas into the "severe" range ahead of winter, when cold air traps pollutants and brings a spike in respiratory illnesses.

The mix of smoke, emissions, and dust is an annual problem for authorities in New Delhi, with vehicles, construction dust, and smoke from farm fires in the adjoining northern states of Punjab and Haryana among the major contributors.

"The outlook for the subsequent six days: the air quality is likely to be in the 'very poor' to 'severe' category," said the earth sciences ministry.

The city's overall score on an air quality index kept by India's top pollution authorities was 'very poor' at 384, the ministry added, and was likely to stay there until Thursday.

An index range of 401 to 500 falls into the 'severe' category, implying it affects healthy people, but is more serious for those already fighting disease.

Ministry data showed farm fires have increasingly swelled the pollution over the last three days, for a share of more than 23% on Monday, from about 15% on Saturday.

About a third of the city's 39 monitoring stations showed a 'severe' score of more than 400 on Tuesday, said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), well short of an air quality score of zero to 50 that it rates as 'good'.

Swiss group IQAir also rated Delhi the world's second most polluted city on Tuesday, after Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, where authorities also took emergency measures in the wake of Sunday's unprecedented pollution levels.

The government in the eastern province of Punjab, home to Lahore, has blamed deteriorating air quality on pollution wafting in from India, an issue it has vowed to take up with its neighbour through the foreign ministry. - Reuters

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

India , Delhi , smog , pollution

   

Next In Aseanplus News

South Korea fines Meta about $15 million over collection of user data
Thai pygmy hippo Moo Deng makes bold US election prediction
Johor first in country to offer starting salaries of RM4,000 to RM5,000, says TMJ
MACC officer charged with misappropriating RM613,000 property
Chinese man has one wife, four lovers, all living in same complex, unaware of each other
FashionValet founders arrive at MACC HQ to record statement
Prosecution seeking heavier sentence for celebrity preacher convicted of rape
Indonesia and Cambodia look to strengthen united front against trafficking
Taiwan couple charged with trying to influence elections for China
More than 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia for Ukraine war: South Korea

Others Also Read