Poisonous air turns Delhi into gas chamber
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) remained in “severe” zone on November 5, as the national capital continued to be covered in a thick layer of smog that lingered over it and its suburbs.
The flaming farm fires (stubble burning), falling wind speed, and low temperatures pushed Delhi’s air quality to the worst levels in around a year.
The Delhi chief minister said the pollution situation in the national capital continues over past years due to stubble burning in neighbouring states, adding that it could be a reason behind the spike of Covid-19 cases in Delhi. The national capital reported over 6,000 cases in its biggest single-day spike on Wednesday.
Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to the residents of Delhi to avoid bursting firecrackers during the upcoming festival of Diwali. “Last year we celebrated cracker-free Diwali. This year again, we won’t burst firecrackers and celebrate a similar Diwali,” he said.
Kejriwal also added that crackers can be dangerous for kids, citing the recent spike in air pollution and the coronavirus situation.
