Delhi’s air “crime against humanity” prompts school closures

• The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi has broken the “severe” and “dangerous” classifications.
• Pollution is caused by the burning of crop stubble and other sources, such as vehicle emissions.
• Calls for the closure of schools have been made on social media.

Nearly all monitoring stations in the Indian capital’s 20 million inhabitants saw the air quality index (AQI) break the “severe” and “dangerous” classifications, prompting calls for the closure of schools.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board show that the AQI was above 450 in numerous locations early in the day. According to the federal authorities, a reading over 400 has an influence on healthy persons and has catastrophic consequences for people who already have diseases.

According to data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the index exceeded 800 in some areas of the city.

“What is happening with air pollution in Delhi is nothing short of a crime against humanity!” author and socialite Suhel Seth wrote on Twitter. “There’s a total collapse of accountability!”

Every winter, the smog that covers the capital of the most polluted country in the world is caused by the burning of crop stubble in neighboring states to clear the fields for the following crop, which traps dust from construction, vehicle emissions, and other sources in the cold, dense air.

Sometimes, the air quality is made worse by lower temperatures, calmer breezes, and their occasionally shifting directions.

Social media users including parents and environmentalists called for the closure of schools.

“I know children don’t vote for you, but still, requesting all the chief ministers of Delhi (capital region) to immediately SHUTDOWN all the schools,” environmental activist Vimlendu Jha wrote on Twitter. “It’s not NORMAL to breathe 500+ AQI, not for our children, where every third child already has some pulmonary challenge.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose party also rules Punjab where crop burning is rampant, said on Twitter that the “people of Punjab and Delhi are taking all steps at their level” to tackle pollution.

To prevent dust pollution, the capital this week halted the majority of construction and demolition projects. Additionally, it urged citizens to carpool, ride motorcycles instead of driving alone, work from home whenever possible, and use less coal and firewood at home.

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