Schools in the Indian capital, New Delhi, reopened this Monday, after more than two weeks of closure, thanks to a slight improvement in air quality that led authorities to lift some restrictions.
The reopening of schools, for now without outdoor activities, was announced on Sunday by the Environment Minister of New Delhi.
“Although there has been an improvement in air quality in New Delhi, we must be cautious”said Gopal Rai, in a press conference.
The air quality in the Indian capital was at a “very bad” level this Monday, according to the index prepared by the Asian country, with a concentration of PM 2.5 particles, the most harmful to humans, on average, 364 micrograms per cubic meter. meter of air.
Pollution levels remain 24 times higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and New Delhi remains the city with the worst air quality in the world, according to a classification prepared by the Swiss company IQAir.
India’s air quality scale includes only one category above the current “severe” level, which New Delhi has recorded in the past two weeks, leading to the imposition of several restrictions.
The local government ordered the suspension of non-essential construction activities and the entry of diesel trucks, as part of a gradual plan to introduce more restrictive measures as air pollution increases, but which has been criticized by experts, who consider it ineffective.
The situation also forced the cricket teams of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which were due to face each other as part of the world cricket championship, to suspend training in the Indian capital.
The deterioration of air quality in New Delhi coincides with the arrival of winter and the decrease in winds that prevent the dispersion of pollutants.
Source: Observadora
