Mon Nov 18 07:37:36 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Schools Go Online as Toxic Smog Reaches Hazardous Levels

**New Delhi, India** – New Delhi’s schools have switched to online learning indefinitely as toxic smog engulfs the city, reaching levels 60 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily maximum. PM2.5 pollutants, tiny particles linked to cancer, spiked to a staggering 907 micrograms per cubic meter Monday morning, according to IQAir, far exceeding the WHO’s unhealthy threshold of 15. Some monitoring stations recorded even higher readings, with one registering 980 micrograms.

The hazardous air quality, described as “hazardous” by IQAir, has prompted widespread concern and action. Chief Minister Atishi announced the closure of all schools except for classes 10 and 12, urging children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems to remain indoors. Further restrictions, including limits on diesel trucks and construction, have been implemented.

The smog, a recurring winter problem, is attributed to stubble burning by farmers in neighboring states, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust. A recent New York Times report implicated a power plant incinerating landfill waste as another significant contributor.

While authorities grapple with the crisis, residents, particularly those in lower socioeconomic groups, face immense challenges. Many cannot afford air purifiers or adequately seal their homes, leaving them vulnerable to the harmful effects of the smog. Rickshaw pullers and taxi drivers, like Subodh and Rinku Kumar, express their inability to avoid the polluted air due to their livelihoods.

The Supreme Court, which recently declared clean air a fundamental right, has summoned authorities to explain the lack of progress in addressing this persistent health emergency. Critics point to political infighting between state and central governments, and reluctance to challenge powerful farming lobbies, as hindering effective solutions. The smog has also caused widespread flight delays. New Delhi consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, with winter conditions exacerbating the problem due to cooler temperatures and stagnant winds.

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