NEW DELHI: India’s capital New Delhi switched schools to online classes on Monday (Nov 18) until further notice because of worsening toxic smog, the latest bid to ease the sprawling megacity’s health crisis.
Levels of PM2.5 pollutants – dangerous cancer-causing microparticles that enter the bloodstream through the lungs – were recorded at 57 times above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily maximum on Sunday evening.
They stood around 39 times above warning limits at dawn on Monday, with a dense grey and acrid smog smothering the city.
The city is blanketed in acrid smog each year, primarily blamed on stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring regions to clear their fields for ploughing, as well as factories and traffic fumes.
The restrictions were put in place by city authorities “in an effort to prevent further deterioration” of the air quality.
Authorities hope by keeping children at home, traffic will be significantly reduced.
“Physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12,” Chief Minister Atishi, who uses one name, said in a statement late on Sunday.
Source: CNA
