Delhi's Air Quality Touches Emergency Level, All Clueless

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Air quality is at a severe level in Delhi NCR[/caption] Poor air quality leads to many diseases, so it is called a silent killer. Air pollution is the biggest threat for the human beings as well as other species on this planet. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe unsafe air, especially people residing in low and middle-income nations. At present, pollution is the biggest killer on earth.

India second most-polluted nation

Unfortunately, India is considered as the second-most polluted country in the world, as per the study conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) in terms of PM2.5. Meanwhile, Nepal's air quality was declared most-polluted in the study.

No bold step

Anyway, no concrete action has been taken in the country to improve air quality. The study has made it clear that India has failed miserably to curb air pollution as per the standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

AQI touches 484

Furthermore air quality of Delhi NCR has been deteriorating due to continue stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. It has reached to the emergency level. The Air Quality Index (AQI) value recorded 484 at 8 am on Friday. How to survive in this hovering atmosphere? How long will this condition continue? Delhites are helpless; they have to cope with this situation and hoping things would turn better in coming days.

CM slams Punjab, Haryana

Nevertheless, Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal has slammed governments of Punjab and Haryana for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. In a tweet on Friday morning, Kejriwal said that the farmers of the two states are left with no option but to burn their stubble.

Distribution of masks

Meanwhile, to protect the children from the acute pollution, Kejriwal distributed masks to school children and gave them first-hand knowledge about stubble burning. He further said to children, "Please write letters to Captain uncle and Khattar uncle and say, 'Please think about our health' ".

Govt closes school

However, the Delhi government has announced to close schools till November 5 and experts believe that young children should remain indoor till the improvement of the situation. Construction activity in the capital is also prohibited till November 5.

Dip in life expectancy

Also, air pollution impact is so bad that life expectancy of 40 per cent population of the country has dipped. The latest Sample Registration Survey for 2013-17 showed remarkable improvement in the life expectancy of India, reached 69 years. In short, the life expectancy of several states and cities like Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal has dropped by seven years. It has now reached 62-year due to threatening level of air pollution.

Pollution leads to diseases

Further air pollution affects everyone alike and very much responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, lungs infection, it spreads asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Dementia, Alzheimer and declining mental health are also increasing due to toxic air pollution.

Match go-ahead

Meanwhile, a first T20I cricket match between India vs Bangladesh is to be played in Delhi on November 3, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has categorically ruled out to shift the venue from Delhi. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that the T20I match between two neighbouring nations would be held in Delhi as planned.

Jaggery a boon

Undoubtedly the air quality of Delhi is deteriorating with every passing day. Therefore, dryness of throat and difficulty in breathing are common. How to overcome it? It is a daunting task to rush to doctors or hospitals on a regular basis. Its solution is available at our home; our elders used to have a bite of jaggery (Gud) after dinner. Jaggery is a boon to overcome the harmful effects of toxic air pollutions.

Laxity in willpower

On the whole, what is the permanent solution to suppress air pollution in Delhi and other regions? Experts and officials believe that lack of political will is the main reason behind taking any decision to conquer this difficulty. Ban on diesel generator sets was not imposed in Delhi-NCR due to unwillingness by state governments and other agencies a couple of years ago. Therefore, central government and state governments will have to keep politics on one corner and think seriously and take a bold step as well as make a harsh law to save people from the life-threatening air quality. It should be mandatory for everyone to follow the rule. Culprits should be severely punished so that the next person never think to repeat the same mistake. Otherwise, survival would be a big challenge due to air pollution.