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.
https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1190839653579939840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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.
https://twitter.com/utkarsh_aanand/status/1190864534157680640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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.
https://twitter.com/DelhiAirport/status/1190879787742449664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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.
https://twitter.com/Mpalawat/status/1190867010181185538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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.
https://twitter.com/WordsSlay/status/1190862160370360320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/manakgupta/status/1190220918557007872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
There is also considerable anger among people regarding how governments are tackling the matter.
https://twitter.com/India_Policy/status/1190904821320077313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/1190654424177242113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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.