New Delhi, India's capital city, found itself shrouded in a thick layer of toxic haze once again, with the air quality index (AQI) plummeting to "severe" levels on November 3. This recurring environmental crisis has placed New Delhi at the top of a real-time list of the world's most polluted cities, compiled by Swiss group IQAir. The Indian capital's AQI reached an alarming 640, categorizing it as "hazardous," while the city of Lahore in Pakistan followed closely with an AQI of 335.
The deteriorating air quality in New Delhi can be attributed to a combination of seasonal factors, including lower temperatures, stagnant winds, and the ongoing practice of crop stubble burning in neighboring farm states. The resultant spike in air pollutants has led to adverse health effects on the city's 20 mn residents, with complaints of eye irritation and itchy throats. The air has turned a dense gray as the AQI hovered around 480 at some monitoring stations.
The AQI scale categorizes air quality as "good" within the range of 0-50, while anything between 400-500 is deemed harmful to both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Aheed Khan, a doctor based in Delhi, shared his concerns on social media, stating;
"In my last 24 hours duty, I saw babies coughing, children coming with distress and rapid breathing."
The worsening air quality has led to a noticeable reduction in the number of people visiting the city's popular parks, such as Lodhi Garden and India Gate, which are usually bustling with joggers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Residents have been rushing to purchase air purifiers to mitigate the harmful effects of the polluted air. However, some service centers for these devices reported shortages of new filters, with fresh stocks expected to arrive on November 6.
India's air pollution problem is a persistent issue, especially in northern regions, including the capital, New Delhi, and the densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh. The annual average concentration of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the air in these areas far exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended level of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m³), reaching more than 120 ug/m³ in some places.
Unfortunately, officials have seen no immediate improvement in the air quality, and experts believe that the current pollution levels are likely to persist for the next two to three weeks. This situation has been further exacerbated by incidents of stubble burning, slow wind speed, and cooling temperatures, according to Ashwani Kumar, chairman of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
Stubble burning is a common practice among farmers in northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, who burn crop waste after harvesting in October to clear their fields for winter crops. This contributes significantly to the surge in air pollution during this season.
The detrimental impact of this prolonged pollution crisis has even extended to the world of sports, casting a shadow over the ongoing cricket World Cup hosted by India. The financial capital, Mumbai, is also grappling with elevated pollution levels.
As New Delhi prepares to host a World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on November 6, the city remains enveloped in toxic haze, posing health risks and causing discomfort to residents, both human and animal. The concentration of toxic PM2.5 particles, which can cause severe health issues, is alarmingly high and well above the World Health Organization's guidelines.
In response to the ongoing pollution crisis, authorities ordered the closure of junior schools in the capital for November 3 and November 4. While children in the suburbs attended school, those traveling on school buses were compelled to wear masks that had been stowed away since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Poor air quality is not only a matter of human health but also affects pet animals, causing respiratory problems, eye irritation, and restlessness. Prabhat Gangwar, a veterinarian at the animal welfare NGO Friendicoes, advised pet owners to avoid taking their animals on morning walks until the air quality improves, as breathing difficulties can develop into more severe ailments, especially in younger animals.
What about Uzbekistan?
Currently, Tashkent, Uzbekistan ranks 11th among the most polluted major cities, with an AQI of 104, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" as per IQAir. However, on November 3, the air quality significantly worsened, with the AQI soaring to 181, signifying an "unhealthy" status. Numerous cities in the region face air pollution problems caused by excessive reliance on fossil fuels, inadequate environmental practices involving the use of subpar or lower-grade fuels, extensive burning of both natural and synthetic materials, and the presence of frequent heavy dust storms in that specific region.
This situation raises concerns for the well-being of the population, particularly those who are sensitive to air pollution, such as individuals with respiratory conditions or the elderly. It underscores the need for increased awareness, air quality monitoring, and potential measures to address this environmental challenge in the region.
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