Severe Air Pollution Engulfs Delhi, Triggering School Closures and Construction Bans

Air quality worsens as officials anticipate expected surge in farm fires and reduction in temperature and air speed; politics and partisan rivalry impede effective solutions to combat what is considered a health emergency with severe levels of pollution.

Air pollution levels in Delhi, India, have reached dangerous levels, prompting school closures and bans on non-essential construction. The air quality index (AQI) has surpassed the '400' danger mark on a scale of 500 in some areas.
The deteriorating air quality is anticipated to worsen in the next 15-20 days due to expected increases in farm fires and a drop in temperature and air speed.
To combat the pollution, authorities in NCR regions such as Gurugram and Noida have intensified their efforts, banning waste burning and enforcing a ban on non-exempted construction activities.
Despite these measures, political and partisan conflicts are impeding solution efforts. A row between different governmental departments over control of Delhi’s entire bureaucracy is hindering anti-pollution efforts.
Air pollution is not only a local issue but a global one, with the most polluted cities list often featuring Delhi and Lahore due to their AQI levels going above 400. The air pollution levels are also impacting outdoor events, casting a shadow over the cricket World Cup.