Primary schools in Delhi shifted online till Saturday as air quality worsens

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Nov 02, 2023: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced that all government and private primary schools in the capital city will remain shut for the next two days in view of the rising air pollution levels.

 

"In light of the rising pollution levels, all govt and private primary schools in Delhi will remain closed for the next 2 days," Kejriwal wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

All schools have been asked to hold classes in online mode on November 3 and 4, an official order by MCD read.

"All Pre School, Pre Primary & Primary classes (i.e. Nursery to class V) in physical form are ordered to discontinue on 03.11.2023 & 04.11.2023 (i.e. Friday & Saturday). Teachers of these classes shall conduct classes in Online mode. HoSs to inform the parents of students of the above classes immediately," the order read further.

Additionally, the Delhi government has also banned all non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR and restricts the entry of diesel trucks into the national capital to curb air pollution.

The restrictions have been imposed as part of stage III of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) - under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

During a meeting convened to assess the air quality in Delhi-NCR, the CAQM expressed concerns, stating that pollution levels in Delhi are projected to escalate in the days to come owing to unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions.

The smoky haze enveloping Delhi grew denser on Thursday, concealing the city’s skyline and hiding the sun. The dip in air quality was attributed to an increase in agricultural fires and adverse weather conditions. Doctors have issued cautions about exacerbated respiratory problems.

Scientists have also warned of a potential surge in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR over the next two weeks. Notably, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in many areas of the national capital has already breached the 400-mark to enter the ’severe’ category.

According to the weather department, the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi was recorded at 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday.

Courtesy: India Today