In brief
With air pollution reaching alarming heights, Delhi's government has decided to shut down primary schools and shift to online learning until further notice.
In response to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, all primary schools in the region will transition to online classes due to the increasingly hazardous smog conditions. Chief Minister Atishi Marlena Singh revealed this decision in a post on X, highlighting the urgent need to protect children from the home-encasing thick smog that has descended upon the city. Currently, pollution levels in Delhi and surrounding regions are classified as dangerously high, with fine particulate matter soaring over 50 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) safety threshold. As of Thursday, the concentration of PM 2.5 particles reached an alarming level of 254 micrograms per cubic meter, vastly exceeding the WHO's maximum safe level of just 15. Delhi is particularly vulnerable to such smog due to a seasonal mix of factors including dropping winter temperatures, smoke from burning crops, dust, stagnant air, and emissions from vehicles. Air quality monitoring group IQAir noted an exceptionally high average of PM 10 particles at 495, far surpassing the daily safe limit. Residents have reported experiencing severe health issues, particularly respiratory and eye-related problems. Research indicates that fine particulate pollution can contribute to cardiovascular diseases and developmental delays in young children. A study published in The Lancet earlier this year estimated that 7.2% of daily fatalities in the city are linked to fine particulate matters. While there is hope that pollution levels may decrease soon, they are anticipated to remain at unhealthy levels. Delhi's government has already imposed various measures to combat the air quality crisis, including the spraying of roads with dust suppressants and a temporary ban on non-essential construction work. Critics, however, contend that these actions have proven insufficient in effectively addressing the pollution problem. Satellite imagery from NASA has highlighted the extent of the smog, revealing its reach across northern India and into neighboring Pakistan. Earlier this month, similar air quality concerns in Lahore prompted officials to close primary schools as well.
