Delhi turns toxic as smog thickens by the hour
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Nov 09, 2017, 06:31 IST | Updated: Nov 09, 2017, 06:31 IST
Illegal crop burning in the farm states surrounding New Delhi, vehicle exhaust emissions in a city with limited public transport and swirling construction dust have caused the crisis, which arises every year.
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Severe pollution
Pollution levels in New Delhi have reached dangerous highs, with air quality readings hitting over 600 on Thursday, the most severe level on the government's scale -- where anything over 100 is considered unhealthy.
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Man with a mask
A US embassy measure of tiny particulate matter PM 2.5 showed a reading of 608 at 10 am when the safe limit is 50.
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Safety is key
Illegal crop burning by farmers in the states neighbouring New Delhi have compounded the woes. Farmers in Haryana and Punjab -- the two big agrarian states surrounding Delhi -- burn millions of tonnes of crop waste around October every year before sowing the winter crop of wheat.
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Go green to breathe
Women wearing masks walk past a road barrier on a smoggy day on Thursday
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Vehicles drive through heavy smog
Delhi Transport minister Kailash Gehlot said on Thursday the odd-even number scheme for private vehicles will be implemented from November 13-17 in the national capital
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A schoolboy covers his face with a handkerchief as he waits for a passenger bus
Schools have been shut for the week and late on Wednesday the city administration announced a set of measures to try to clean up the air
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Low visibility
A man exercises in a park on a smoggy morning.
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Heavy smog
People commute with caution as accident rates increased across north India due to the heavy smog.
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Blanket of smog covers Delhi
The haze covered India Gate, a war memorial in the centre of the city where Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were due to pay respects in a two-day trip ending on Thursday.
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Toxic air
Delhiites complained of headaches, coughs and smarting eyes. Many stayed home and restaurants in some of the city's most crowded parts were deserted.