Delhi chokes as air pollution soars to 30 times safe limits video

Air quality in Delhi has deteriorated to a critical level, with pollution indicators exceeding safe limits by nearly 30 times.

According to foreign media, dense smog containing high concentrations of toxic substances has prompted local authorities to introduce emergency measures.

Schools have shifted pupils to remote learning, while some employees have been instructed to work from home. Residents are being urged to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary.

Health experts warn that the situation poses a serious risk to public health, particularly for children and older people. Elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can exacerbate chronic lung diseases, trigger cardiovascular complications, and weaken the body’s overall resistance.

City officials caution that without urgent action to reduce emissions and improve urban transport, such episodes will become increasingly frequent.

Air pollution in the Indian capital typically worsens during the winter months, driven by the burning of agricultural residue in neighbouring states and weather conditions that trap smog over the city.

International experience suggests that substantial reductions in emissions can be achieved through a combination of investment in environmentally friendly transport, the expansion of green spaces, and stricter regulation of industrial activity.

The scale of the problem is underscored by official data: more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses were recorded in six state-run hospitals in Delhi between 2022 and 2024, as the capital grappled with persistently high pollution levels, the federal government told parliament earlier this month.

By Tamilla Hasanova