Toxic air: Primary schools in Delhi shut till Nov 10

Toxic haze for sixth day prompts move; online class option for Stds VI to XII

All primary schools in the national capital will remain shut till November 10 in view of rising pollution levels in the city, Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced on Sunday. For Std VI to XII, schools have the option of teaching online. “As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till November 10. For Std VI-XII, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes,” Atishi said on X.

A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the severe plus category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night. The air quality index deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday. Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that all government and private primary schools in Delhi will remain closed on November 3 and November 4, in view of rising pollution levels.

Under the Centre’s air pollution control plan, all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the National Capital Region if the AQI crosses the 450-mark. Air quality in Delhi-NCR declined over the past week due to a gradual drop in temperatures, calm winds that trap pollution, and a surge in post-harvest paddy straw burning across Punjab and Haryana.

Air quality in severe plus category again

A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the severe plus category, particularly calm winds during the night. The air quality index deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday. On Friday, the commission deferred the implementation of stricter measures under the air pollution control plan, called the Graded Response Action Plan, citing a declining trend in the AQI in the region.

Water sprayed at hotspots

To curb the rising pollution in the national capital, the Delhi Fire Services has joined hands with the government to spray water at several hotspots. “A total of 12 fire engines have been pressed into service. These fire tenders have already started sprinkling water at different locations which have been identified as hotspots,” Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services, said.

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