Because of smog: Primary school pupils in New Delhi have to attend distance learning
Published: Friday, Nov 15th 2024, 12:30
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Due to heavy smog, all primary school pupils in India's capital New Delhi are to switch to distance learning for the time being. In addition, almost all construction work and road traffic restrictions have been imposed in the metropolis and the surrounding region. After more than two weeks of consistently "very poor" air quality, the situation has become even worse.
The authorities have now classified the situation as "serious". The high concentration of air pollutants can therefore "affect healthy people and have a serious impact on those with existing illnesses." A haze of particulate matter, soot, sulphur dioxide and other gases has been hanging over New Delhi for days. It is many times higher than the limits considered acceptable by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Particulate matter pollution is among the highest in the world
Particulate matter pollution in the metropolitan region is among the highest in the world, and is particularly high in winter. In addition to exhaust fumes from cars, industry, dust from construction sites and waste incineration, the causes include the burning of crop residues in the fields in the surrounding states.
In a list compiled by the Swiss technology company IQAir of cities with the highest levels of air pollution in the world, Delhi temporarily alternated with the Pakistani city of Lahore in first place on Friday.
In an order issued by Delhi's Air Quality Control Commission, residents of the capital of the country's most populous state and surrounding areas were urged to use public transport, carpool to work, walk or cycle for short distances, among other things. People should refrain from using coal and wood to heat their homes, they said.
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