Indian medics declare ‘health emergency’ in Delhi as smog blankets city
Indian medics declare ‘health emergency’ in Delhi as smog blankets city
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Indian Medical Association declared a public health emergency in Delhi on Tuesday as a thick blanket of smog covered the capital city.
According to the US embassy, the level of fine pollutants most harmful to health reached more than double the threshold that authorities define as hazardous.
“We have declared a state of public health emergency in Delhi since pollution is at an alarming level,” the head of the Indian Medical Association Krishan Kumar Aggarwal told AFP.
“Delhi authorities have to make every possible effort to curb this menace.”
In 2014 the World Health Organisation said Delhi had become the world’s most polluted capital city with the air quality worse than in Beijing.
In Delhi, power stations have been temporarily closed and there have been some experimental road closures, but this week residents hit out at the efforts to tackle the worsening situation.
"It's a recurring problem and we need to find a quick and permanent solution to it before it is too late,” estate agent Vipin Malhotra told the Times of India
“Delhi is becoming unliveable, particularly for children, as the pollution has reached uncontrollable levels.”
According to AFP, fireworks set off to celebrate Diwali add to the toxic mixture made up of pollution from diesel engines, coal-fired power stations and industrial emissions.
As winter approaches, cooler air traps pollutants near the ground, preventing dispersion into the atmosphere. The air quality is further reduced by the burning of crop stubble outside the city. The practice has been banned, but is still practiced widely by farmers following the harvest in northern India.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked the Education Minister Manish Sisodia to consider shutting schools for a few days due to the levels of pollution in the city.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments