Delhi Government Extends School Closure Amidst Escalating Air Pollution

Delhi Government Extends School Closure Amidst Escalating Air Pollution

VoM News Desk | November 5, 2023 | 10:42 AM IST | Climate & Environment, Delhi | Follow on Google News

Delhi Government Extends School Closure Amidst Escalating Air Pollution

Primary Schools Shut, Online Learning for Grades 6-12

In response to the escalating air pollution crisis in the national capital, the Delhi government has taken a critical step by extending the closure of all primary schools up to class 5 until November 10. This decision comes as the air quality in the city continues to deteriorate, causing serious health concerns. However, schools from classes 6-12 are not mandated to close, but they have been provided with the option to conduct online classes, considering the severe environmental conditions.

Respiratory Concerns as Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates

Delhi’s air quality remained severely polluted for a consecutive sixth day, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 460 on Sunday morning. The city is enveloped in a thick blanket of toxic smog, posing significant health risks, especially for children and the elderly. The microscopic PM2.5 particles, known to cause severe health problems, have surged to levels seven to eight times higher than the government’s safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter in multiple areas across Delhi-NCR. These levels are alarmingly high, being 80 to 100 times greater than the WHO’s recommended safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Urgent Measures to Combat Air Pollution

In line with the Central government’s strategy to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR, it has become mandatory to implement immediate air pollution control measures, including bans on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and construction activities, when the AQI exceeds 450. The deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR can be attributed to various factors, including falling temperatures, stagnant winds hampering pollution dispersion, and a significant increase in post-harvest paddy stubble burning in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.

The AQI in Delhi spiked by over 200 points between October 27 and November 3, reaching the “severe plus” category (above 450) on Friday. While there was a slight improvement from 468 at 4 pm on Friday to 413 at 6 am on Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI of 468 on Friday was the worst since November 12, 2021. It is evident that the air quality in Delhi is among the poorest among capital cities globally, with a University of Chicago study revealing that air pollution significantly reduces life expectancy by almost 12 years.

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VoM News Desk

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