The Delhi-NCR region is suffering from an extremely high level of pollution for the past few days. While politicians have been busy playing politics over the issue, the situation has not gotten any better. This morning, major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels were at 486 and 459 respectively, both in the ‘severe’ category, in Sector-62 of Noida, according to the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) data. Pollutant levels in Sector-125, Sector-1 and Sector-116 were also in the ‘severe’ category.
Noida: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 486 and PM 10 at 459 both in ‘severe’ category in Sector-62, according to the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) data. Sector-125, Sector-1 and Sector-116 also in ‘severe’ category. pic.twitter.com/6tOPyjarMP
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2019
In Noida, authorities have decreed that schools remain shut till the 5th of November. The order is applicable to all public and private schools till class 12. Public health emergency has been declared in Delhi as well and schools are shut too.
#Noida schools ordered to remain shut till Nov 5 by district administration owing to #pollution. The DM, Gautam Budh Nagar has issued an order this morning for closure of all public & private schools till Class XII.#AirPollution#DelhiPollution#delhincrpollution pic.twitter.com/1zKcWVevVT
— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) November 3, 2019
The high levels of pollution have also affected flights at the Delhi Airport. The authorities announced the matter on social media and requested passengers to contact the airline concerned for information about their flights.
Update issued at 1130 hours: Due to low visibility, flight operations at Delhi Airport are affected. All CAT-II compliant pilots are able to operate. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) November 3, 2019
In Delhi, as of this morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading at Bawana was at 492, ITO crossing was at 487 and Ashok Vihar was at 482, all in ‘severe’ category. In Ghaziabad, Vasundhara, it was 486 and at Indirapuram, it was at 482.
The stats provided by SkymetWeather, which provides updates on weather, represent the horrific levels of pollution that people in Delhi are being subjected to. At some places, the AQi is over 900. If 482 is considered severe, one can understand what 900 must feel like.
See latest #AQI #AirquqlityIndex of #Delhi and NCR. These are #Skymet‘s sensors. Some places are above 900. It is not air we are breathing, its poison. Stay indoors and avoid morning/evening walk or exercise. #DelhiAirQuality #DelhiPollution #DelhiSmog @SkymetAQI @SkymetWeather pic.twitter.com/IvxnyTtdND
— Mahesh Palawat (@Mpalawat) November 3, 2019
People in Delhi are sharing their ordeal over the past few days on social media. The air is thick with smog and the city is suffering from extremely poor visibility. The visuals coming in are extremely distressing, to put it mildly.
Did you know about these Magical Buildings in Delhi?
They can peek-a-boo!#DelhiPollution pic.twitter.com/eNIbugDA8K
— Vasudha (@WordsSlay) November 3, 2019
No better in Noida. Crores of us are inhaling this poison and nobody knows what to do. Feeling so helpless ?#DelhiPollution #DelhiAirQuality #DelhiChokes pic.twitter.com/J6OV6bDOjm
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) November 1, 2019
There is also considerable anger among people regarding how governments are tackling the matter.
The Union Govt, the State Govts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP are least bothered of tackling the pollution. The entire political leadership and all the bureaucracy sits in office with the best of air purifiers installed.
— हम भारत के लोग (@India_Policy) November 3, 2019
If fasting can end air pollution in Delhi, why take the trouble to be in the Government? Resign and expose your incapability to end this man-made disaster.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 2, 2019
Meanwhile, there’s a cricket match slated to occur later today between India and Bangladesh at the national capital. While many concerns have been raised on the matter and demands were made to shift the venue, the authorities have decided to continue with the match as scheduled.
