This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
Published on November 3, 2019
Delhi, India's capital, was shrouded in a thick, toxic smog on Sunday, with the worst air quality in recent years. The city's 20 million residents were affected by the poisonous mixture of car fumes, industrial emissions, and smoke from stubble burning in neighboring states.
The air quality index, measured by India's state-run System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), reached a staggering 810 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding the 'hazardous' threshold set by the US embassy in Delhi.
"Pollution has reached unbearable levels," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, blaming neighboring states for the crisis. However, Federal Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar accused Kejriwal of politicizing the issue.
As a result, flights were delayed or diverted, and schools were ordered closed until Tuesday. The city's residents were advised to stay indoors, with some even wearing masks while training for a cricket match.
"It's actually scary - you can't see things in front of you," said protester Jaivipra at a rally in Delhi. Nurses at the demonstration reported a surge in respiratory problems among patients.
Experts warn that temporary measures, such as closing schools and halting construction, are insufficient to address the root causes of air pollution. A range of long-term solutions, including changes in agricultural practices, public transport investment, and emission controls, are needed to improve air quality.
