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Delhi has shut all primary schools indefinitely as air pollution levels in the Indian capital reach hazardous levels, officials announced. Classes will shift online while the city battles a smog emergency caused by a mix of vehicle emissions, crop stubble burning, and weather conditions that trap pollutants.
Chief Minister Atishi Marlena Singh shared the decision on X, formerly Twitter, as smog choked the city, making it unsafe for residents, especially children. Delhi's air quality monitoring group, IQAir, reported an average PM2.5 level of 254 micrograms per cubic meter on Thursday, over 50 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
PM2.5 particles, small enough to penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, pose severe health risks. Prolonged exposure can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and hinder developmental growth in children. Meanwhile, PM10 levels reached an average of 495 micrograms per cubic meter, also far exceeding safety standards.
This toxic air is not limited to Delhi; nearby cities such as Gurugram, Noida, and Chandigarh are also reporting hazardous pollution. Local media has highlighted health issues among residents, including eye irritation and breathing difficulties.
Authorities have imposed measures such as banning non-essential construction and spraying roads with dust suppressants. However, critics argue that these interventions have proven ineffective. Satellite imagery from NASA reveals the extent of the pollution, stretching across northern India and into Pakistan, where Lahore recently closed schools due to poor air quality.
With over 33 million people affected, the smog crisis underscores the urgency for long-term solutions to Delhi's recurring air pollution problem.
