The smog, which has been creating havoc in Delhi NCR region for more than a week, has choked Meerut and Ghaziabad as well.
Demonstrators wearing face masks due to heavy smog conditions take part in a demonstration demanding the government measures to curb air pollution in New Delhi on November 3, 2019. India's capital New Delhi was enveloped in heavy, toxic smog on November 3 -- the worst levels in recent years -- with flights diverted or delayed as politicians blamed each other for failing to tackle the crisis. Every winter, the megacity of 20 million people is blanketed by a poisonous smog of car fumes, industrial emissions and smoke from stubble burning at farms in neighbouring states. (Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
In view of the prevailing smog in the National Capital Region, the schools of neighboring Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar have been closed till November 5 on the orders of the district administration.
The smog, which has been creating havoc in Delhi NCR region for more than a week, has choked Meerut and Ghaziabad as well. As a precautionary measure, the schools of the district have been closed till November 5 on the orders of the district magistrate Anil Dhingra.
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The decision has been taken to protect the school going children who are more prone to catching diseases. Similar orders have been issued by the district administrations of Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar where also the schools would remain closed till November 5.
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People, especially children and the aged are the most vulnerable to the ill-effects of the pollutants and the hospitals are witnessing a rush of patients in the OPDs. “Patients are coming to us with different problems like respiratory disorders, allergies, fever, common cold, and cough, etc. due to this pollution,” told Dr Soofia Anjum, adding that the OPDs are full and doctors are working overtime. She advised people to use masks and said that children and elders should remain indoors.
The smog is caused by the burning of Parali in Punjab and Haryana after the harvesting of paddy. This smog covers the sky of Delhi NCR every year this time making life difficult for the people. Bursting of crackers on Diwali worsens the situation.
“Here there is no burning of Parali which is used as a fodder for animals,” said Mithan Tyagi, a farmer.
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