Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has hit the 500 mark in several parts of the national capital, posing serious risk to health of the residents.
In a post on X, a historian has expressed his shock over the worsening air quality in Delhi. William Dalrumple, who claims to have lived in Delhi for forty years, said that he has never seen anything like this.
"Just arrived back in Delhi to find the city embalmed in an all-enveloping burial shroud of pollution. Even at 2pm impossible to see 100m across the runway," he posted on X.
"I've never seen anything like this in forty years of living here. What a fate for the City of Djinns- still, at its best the most fascinating of cities, but currently a tragic, choking death-trap," the historian added.
He also shared an AQI dashboard which revealed that breathing air in Delhi is equivalent to smoking 40 cigarettes per day. According to the data, the average number is eight cigarettes daily in north India.
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His post evoked reactions from other social media users who bore witness to the deadly Delhi air.
"Delhi's charm is undeniable, but the current pollution levels are devastating. It's sad to witness such a vibrant city choked by the air," a user wrote. "Straight out of a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie," a second user commented.
Another decided to postpone his trip to Delhi out of fear.
According to the Indian Express, Delhi's average AQI early Tuesday was 492 and it touched 500 in Alipur, Anand Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Pusa and Sonia Vihar.
The Delhi government has implemented the Graded Response Act Plan-4 (GRAP-4) on Supreme Court's orders to curb unnecessary work like construction and plying of heavy goods vehicles. Schools up to class 12 have been closed in Gautam Buddha Nagar district until November 23 and classes will be held online in view of the rising pollution levels. Delhi University has also switched to online mode until November 23.
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