These days in the NCR region, we want to keep doors and windows closed to keep the ‘fresh air’ out. Every year, by the time Diwali comes around, the smog comes around and pollution levels become dangerous and worse than dangerous. Our lungs really can feel it and we can even smell the air smoke. Obviously on Twitter it was raining memes about #DelhiAirQuality
For a number of rather intractable reasons, Delhi is peculiarly prone to smog at the beginning of winter.
Having enjoyed lower levels of pollution in the preceding months, this seems particularly bad.
The cooler weather, stubble burning in surrounding areas, vehicular and factory emissions add up to create a toxic cocktail.
This is exactly how it looked like at noon; 4th November saw the worst air quality that NCR people have experienced so far this year.
The smog hangs like a blanket, blocking out the sun and making everything gloomy
There is no problem with the pictures – that’s just one of the tweeple being sarcastic about the terrible visibility.
According to experts, just breathing in the Delhi air is like smoking a pack of cigarettes every day with very serious health consequences.
Everything around is blurry.
Respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis etc are exacerbated and pollution is now a significant cause of early death as well.
The tweeple were making some fairly dark jokes about watching shows about nuclear disasters.
They seem fitting for Delhi.
We have all become used to wearing masks these days --- just not masks designed for gas chambers.
Some recalled these alternative names for famous areas of Delhi.
Visitors are regretting their visit.
Those who are currently out of town are not missing Delhi at all.
There are several promises that the Delhi government had made which it is yet to deliver on. The government had put out images of spraying stubble with a concoction that would turn it into compost in three weeks as well.
However, all we have seen so far is signage and volunteers at traffic intersections telling vehicle users to turn off their engines while waiting for the light to change to green. These band-aid measures will make no significant difference to Delhi pollution. What measures is the government actually taking to bring about measurable change in the #DelhiAirQuality if any? So far the pall of smog is the only answer.
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