Delhi Schools Closed as Air Pollution Reaches Hazardous Levels, Health Crisis Deepens
New Delhi, India - Schools across Delhi and surrounding areas have been shuttered and protests are mounting as air quality plunges to hazardous levels, prompting urgent warnings for vulnerable populations to consider leaving the region. The crisis, marked by thick smog blanketing the capital, is exacerbating respiratory illnesses and raising serious concerns about public health.
The deteriorating air quality is not a new phenomenon for Delhi, but recent spikes have triggered a wave of alarm. A report released this year by The Lancet medical journal revealed India recorded approximately 1.72 million deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution in 2022 - a staggering 38% increase since 2010. the current situation underscores a growing health emergency, with medical professionals reporting a surge in patients suffering from breathlessness, asthma, and heart problems, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
“Every breath in Delhi NCR today comes with a major health cost,” stated Dr. Harshal Ramesh Salve, of the Center for Community Medicine at the all India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), during a press briefing Monday. “We’re seeing more patients struggling…especially among children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.”
The primary causes of the pollution include vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and the burning of crop residue in neighboring states.Authorities have implemented measures such as restricting construction and diesel vehicles, but their effectiveness remains limited.
The current pollution levels are considerably above the World Health Institution’s (WHO) safe limits, prompting calls for more drastic action. Residents have taken to the streets in protest, demanding immediate and long-term solutions to address the recurring crisis.Health officials are advising those with respiratory issues to limit outdoor activity and, if possible, to temporarily relocate away from the affected areas.
