A reading of above 400 can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing illnesses
\n NEW DELHI
\nThe share of farm fires affecting Delhi\u2019s pollution has surged to more than 20% since the weekend, higher than the levels a year ago, government data showed on Tuesday as the Indian capital\u2019s air quality turned \u201csevere\u201d at many places.
\nDelhi on Sunday suspended most construction and demolition activities, predicting a worsening of its air quality from Tuesday because of calmer winds and other meteorological conditions.
\nThe city of about 20 million, the world\u2019s most polluted capital, is blanketed in smog every winter as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from the burning of crop residues in the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab ahead of the new crop season.
\nSmoke from farm fires contributed to up to 26% of the tiny PM 2.5 lung-damaging pollutants in the city\u2019s air – the highest in the past two years during the period of mid-October to early November, according to data from the Ministry of Earth Science.
\nDelhi\u2019s air quality index crossed the \u201csevere\u201d level of 400 at most of its monitoring stations on Tuesday as visibility dropped.
\nA reading of above 400 can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing illnesses.
\n\u201cAlmost every household in Delhi has someone unwell due to this severe and hazardous pollution, and our politicians don\u2019t even think that\u2019s (an) issue,\u201d environmentalist Vimlendu Jha said on Twitter.
\n\u201cYou don\u2019t need to add any filter on Instagram for Delhi sky photos. It\u2019s naturally SEPIA!\u201d
\nThe Delhi government says it has formed 586 teams to monitor construction works for violations though hospitals, railways, airports and other public sectors can continue with construction activities with dust-control measures.
\nIt is also deploying nearly 233 anti-smog guns and 521 machines to sprinkle water across the city to settle dust.
\n\u201cIt is the responsibility of all of us to take initiative at every level to stop pollution,\u201d Delhi\u2019s environment minister Gopal Rai said, announcing a proposal to get drivers to switch off their vehicles at red lights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A reading of above 400 can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing illnesses NEW DELHI The share of farm fires affecting Delhi\u2019s pollution has surged to more than 20% since the weekend, higher than the levels a year ago, government data showed on Tuesday as the Indian capital\u2019s air quality turned \u201csevere\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":293008,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-292959","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n