Delhi Smog Forces School Closures and Casts a Shadow Over Cricket World Cup
New Delhi grapples with a suffocating smog crisis, as schools shutter and the Cricket World Cup is affected The recurring pollution nightmare engulfs the city, sparing no one from its harmful effects
New Delhi is currently experiencing a severe smog problem, causing schools to close and impacting the ongoing Cricket World Cup. Authorities are working diligently to address this recurring pollution crisis in India's capital city. Prachi Bhuchar, a resident for more than 15 years, expressed her distress over the worsening situation, lamenting that November brings about a sense of dread due to the foul air quality, making it increasingly difficult to live in the city.
Last week, the air quality in the city deteriorated as lower temperatures trapped particles from nearby crop burning. This led to the formation of a hazardous toxic haze, persisting for the fourth day in a row till Monday. According to Swiss air quality company IQAir, New Delhi began the week with a PM 2.5 concentration almost 80 times higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization.
Exposure to PM 2.5 particles, which consist of pollutants like sulfate, nitrates, and black carbon, can lead to adverse effects on cognitive and immune functions. This exposure has also been associated with lung and heart disorders.
Traffic moves on a road enveloped by fog and smog in New Delhi, India, on November 3, 2023.
AP
The Cricket World Cup is facing a potential threat from pollution, as Sri Lanka had to cancel their training session due to the worsening conditions. The team is preparing to face Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the capital on Monday. In response to the situation, India's cricket board took measures to improve the conditions by prohibiting firework displays for the remaining matches of the tournament.
In an effort to combat the city's smog, authorities are urgently taking action by implementing emergency measures that involve pausing non-essential truck movement and construction activities. City residents are taking precautions by wearing face masks, while trucks are being used to dampen the roads and minimize dust levels. Local media reports that concerned residents are also hurriedly purchasing air purifiers, as doctors have advised them to stay indoors to avoid inhaling the harmful pollutants.
Awesta Chaudhary expressed concern about her almost three-year-old son growing up in an environment she considers "extremely alarming."
"I've observed that even a small opening in the window or elsewhere allows the smog to penetrate our home. Due to this fear, we avoid taking (my son) to the parks and make an effort to keep him indoors as much as we can," she shared.
Nobody spared
"I am of the opinion that the government is capable of implementing additional measures beyond their current efforts. It is necessary to establish more stringent regulations in order to reduce the extent of pollution," commented Chaudhary, who shared that she has been continuously operating her air purifier for over 72 hours.
India has been grappling with a persistent smog issue for a considerable time. The problem manifests itself in crowded urban areas plagued by a substantial amount of vehicular emissions and industrial waste, as well as in agricultural regions where crop burning leads to pollution. New Delhi, housing a population exceeding 20 million, is frequently cited as one of the most polluted cities globally, with research indicating a negative impact on the health of its residents. A study conducted in 2021 by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) revealed that the detrimental air quality in Delhi could potentially reduce life expectancy by up to nine years.
The study also found that every single one of Indias 1.4 billion residents endure annual average pollution levels that exceed guidelines set by WHO.
A passenger plane ready to take off at IGI Airport amid heavy smog on November 5, 2023 in New Delhi, India.
Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times/Getty Images
The central government initiated a nationwide clean air campaign in 2019, aiming to achieve a 30% reduction in particulate pollution by 2024. Tailored strategies were devised for individual cities, such as Delhi, which focused on decreasing road traffic, burn-offs, road dust, and promoting the adoption of cleaner fuels.
In recent years, India's pollution problem has deteriorated, mainly attributed to its reliance on fossil fuels. Medical professionals have observed a rise in illnesses linked to pollution, with patients reporting symptoms such as cough, throat irritation, difficulty breathing, and skin issues, among other complaints.
Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant of Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, stated that sicknesses caused by pollution have been progressively worsening over the years due to prolonged exposure and increased pollution levels. He explained that while high pollution affects everyone, individuals with lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung damage are particularly vulnerable.
CNNs Vedika Sud and Sania Farooqui contributed reporting from New Delhi.
