Delhi on Friday woke up to see a thick layer of smog engulfing the sky as its air quality deteriorated to ‘severe category.’
Meanwhile, the city government has announced the closure of primary schools and banned construction as the Air Quality Index touched 500 in many areas, almost 100 times increase by what was suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Impact On Individual Health
“Many hospitals are seeing rise in number of patients who are complaining of breathing, cough and skin irritation,” Dr. Shonit Kantroo told Sputnik India.
“A general advisory is released by the health department and hospitals, but we are asking people not to take long walks outside, use mask. No matter you have breathing problems or not, the pollution is going to impact everyone,” said Dr. Kantroo, who is a pediatrician.
He also said the pollution would have a negative impact on the elderly, children and pregnant women.
Meanwhile, experts believe that air quality will deteriorate in the coming days.
Delhi’s environment minister, Gopal Rai, has called an emergency meeting to review the situation.