Delhi is literally facing the worst environmental crisis right now. The thick smog that has engulfed the National Capital Region (NCR) has not only thrown life out of gear but also flooded the hospitals across the region with patients complaining of respiratory ailments like breathlessness and asthma complications.
Major hospitals in Delhi witnessed a 20 percent rise in patients seeking treatment for respiratory and cardiac issues on November 8. AIIMS Director and renowned pulmonologist Randeep Guleria, while comparing Delhi’s air pollution levels with the Great Smog of London, said,
Patients have started coming to the OPDs with complaints of breathlessness, coughing, sneezing, tightness in chest, allergy and asthma complications. There is about 20 per cent rise in patients seeking treatment due to respiratory and cardiac issues. This is a silent killer.
Dr Guleria further said that the situation in NCR is same as the post-Diwali situation in 2016. He has also feared that around 25,000 – 30,000 people may lose their lives due to various cardio-pulmonary disease.
A foggy polluted evening at the Vijaypath facing the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal New Delhi 071215
The Great Smog of London
Great Smog of London also known as the Big Smoke was a severe case of air pollution that affected the British capital in December 1952. It lasted from December 5, 1952, to December 9, 1952, and caused major health issues and visibility problems. The event is estimated to have killed between 4,000 to 12,000 people and nearly 1,00,000 others contracted respiratory conditions such as asthma and pneumonia.
The condition was aggravated by weather conditions and emissions from factories and homes. Schools and businesses were closed. The entire transportation system of the city excluding the London Underground train system was paralysed due to poor visibility. The smog even permeated the ventilation system of many buildings forcing the movie theatres to shut down.
Following an investigation, the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the Clean Air Act in 1956. The act was introduced to reduce air pollution in the city. It also called for measures to relocate power stations away from the city.
Delhi pollution tracker
Following the worsening condition of air quality in Delhi, all schools and colleges in Delhi have been shut till Sunday, November 12. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has also restricted the movement of trucks except those carrying essential commodities inside the national capital. Apart from this, the Delhi Metro has also announced that it would run more trains on several routes to accommodate more commuters.
A traffic policeman wears a pollution mask due to smog and air pollution in Gurgaon on Wednesday following Diwali celebrations. (Photo: PTI)
Also Read: 12 things we should care about rather than worrying about air pollution. No, Really
While the Indian Medical Association has described the situation as a “public health emergency”, the Health Ministry has issued an advisory urging the residents to carpool and use public transport. The ministry has also advised the residents to stay indoors and avoid any outdoor activity that increases breathing rate.
Areas with the worst Air Quality Index (AQI)
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in most parts of the national capital remained in ‘hazardous’ category on Thursday, November 9 morning. While AQI at Dwarka and Shadipur was recorded at 388 and 362 respectively, the condition was far worse in Punjabi Bagh and Anand Vihar where the levels touched 799 and 515 respectively. The quality of air at Delhi’s Lodhi Road area too had similar figures. The levels of both the air pollutants– PM 10 and PM 2.5 stood at 500 in the area.
Also Read: Smog alert! These easy hacks might just help you fight Delhi’s air pollution
Apart from this, 9 trains were rescheduled, 10 were cancelled and 41 got delayed due to the blanket of smog.
Here are some of the images that show the quality of air in Delhi on Thursday morning:
#Smog seen in the national capital: Visuals from India Gate, residents say it is posing a major health risk #Delhi pic.twitter.com/OfIv1zTEae
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017
#Haryana: Thick layer of smog covers #Rohtak resulting in low visibility (Early morning visuals) pic.twitter.com/JhSiEN6tSk
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017
Stubble burning in #Haryana continues even as pollution levels rise in the region and neighboring states: Visuals from #Rohtak pic.twitter.com/nQDwv6Cpo1
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017
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