New Delhi’s dreadful air quality turned a lot worse over the weekend as Hindus in India’s capital burned statues of their demon king Ravana and lit firecrackers; to celebrate the victory of good over evil during the Dussehra festival.
As pollution spiked on Monday morning, India Gate, a monument near Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office was covered in smog. US President Donald Trump referred to India for its “filthy” air during the final presidential debate last week, prompting Democratic rival Joe Biden to tweet: “It’s not how you talk about friends and it’s not how you solve global challenges like climate change”.
Air Quality Index:
According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s air quality index (AQI), any reading above 100 on the scale of 500 becomes unsafe for health. On Monday afternoon in the capital, the AQI struck 347; while for some areas like Sonia Vihar it was as high as 439. Doctors have already noted a jump in respiratory problems among residents in the capital; where over coronavirus cases reported are 353,000 of India’s 7.9 million.
So far this month, Delhi’s AQI has averaged a “poor” 227; as residents paid a price for farmers in surrounding states burning off straws before planting a new crop.
The peak of the Dussehra festival on Sunday was harmful enough for people’s lungs. Environmentalists have warned that Diwali in mid-November could be a lot worse.
Authorities have launched a campaign urging people to take steps to control pollution; while ordering sprinkling of water and banning the use of electricity generator sets.