Udaipur, November 19, 2024 - North India continues to reel under grim smog conditions with pollution levels going up to alarming levels category in Delhi and NCR. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels hit the 500 mark in the region this morning on most AQI stations. Health emergencies were noted with hospitals reporting rise in asthmatic attack and heart failure cases. Neighbouring States like Punjab, Haryana and other north Indian States, too, are experiencing severe air pollution.

A toxic mix of smoke and fog has enveloped Delhi-NCR for the seventh consecutive day forcing schools to go online and employees being asked to work from home. Data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) showed that Delhi's overall AQI was recorded at 494 at 6:00 am this morning. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI of some areas like Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana and Major Dhyan Chand Stadium hit the 500 mark at 5:00 am today. This is the worst AQI recorded so far this season. Officials describe this crisis as due to "unfavourable" meteorological conditions.

Delhi government declared a “medical emergency” as the toxic smog surged past 60 times the World Health Organisation's recommended daily maximum. Flight and train services have been affected. The education department has directed all government and private schools to go completely online. Even Grades 10 and 12 classes are now being conducted remotely. Colleges have gone offline, too.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court yesterday ordered strict enforcement of Graded Response Action Plan-4 (GRAP) restrictions in order to control pollution. On another note, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has lashed out against the government for the current situation of the national capital.

“Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka. It is unconscionable that our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it," Tharoor posted on X.

With media inputs