Delhi becomes world’s most polluted city | BBC News

Summary

Delhi, India, has overtaken Lahore, Pakistan, as the most polluted city on Earth, with an air quality index of 418. Both cities are struggling with severe smog, causing respiratory issues for millions, especially among children and the elderly. The pollution, worsened by cold air and stagnant weather, is a recurring problem with no long-term solutions in sight. While Delhi faces the worst conditions, Lahore is also severely affected, with air quality reaching dangerous levels. Experts and doctors urge action, but the lack of proactive measures from both governments continues to exacerbate the crisis.

Takeaways

• 😀 Delhi has overtaken Lahore as the most polluted city in the world, with an air pollution index of 418, which is categorized as severe.
• 😀 The air quality in Delhi has been hazardous, with residents experiencing burning eyes, shortness of breath, and throat irritation.
• 😀 A significant portion of Delhi's population, particularly those who cannot afford air purifiers, is forced to cope with the hazardous air conditions outdoors.
• 😀 Doctors have reported an increase in respiratory issues, particularly among children and the elderly, in Delhi due to the severe pollution.
• 😀 Delhi's air pollution is exacerbated every winter, as cold air traps smoke, dust, and emissions, worsening the city's air quality.
• 😀 The situation in Lahore is also severe, with air pollution levels regularly reaching over 1,000, and at one point even exceeding 1,500 on the air quality index.
• 😀 Both Delhi and Lahore experience similar smog problems, with pollution accumulating due to a lack of rain and wind, which typically helps disperse the smog.
• 😀 Climate scientists suggest that the persistent smog in Lahore is a result of stagnant weather conditions, with no rain or strong winds to clear the air.
• 😀 The pollution issue is not unique to these two cities but affects a broader region, including Punjab in Pakistan and nearby areas.
• 😀 Experts and residents in both countries have expressed frustration over the lack of long-term solutions to combat air pollution, with most measures being reactive rather than proactive.

Q & A

What recent development has made Delhi the most polluted city in the world?

Delhi recently surpassed Lahore as the most polluted city in the world, with its air quality index reaching an alarming 418, which is classified as 'severe.'

What is considered a 'good' air quality index, and how does Delhi's current level compare?

A good air quality index is between 0 and 50. Delhi's air quality index of 418 is far beyond this, indicating a severe level of pollution.

Why does Delhi experience such high levels of pollution during the winter?

Delhi experiences high levels of pollution in winter because the cold air traps dust, emissions, and smoke, especially from illegal tire burning, which worsens the smog.

What are some immediate physical effects of the pollution on Delhi residents?

Residents in Delhi experience burning eyes, throat irritation, shortness of breath, and psychological distress, as people tend to take shorter breaths to avoid inhaling the polluted air.

How does the pollution in Delhi affect vulnerable populations?

Vulnerable populations, especially children and the elderly, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of pollution, leading to increased respiratory complaints and health concerns.

What is the impact of pollution on children in Delhi?

Many parents in Delhi are no longer allowing their children to play outside due to the hazardous air quality, highlighting the serious risks for children's health in such polluted conditions.

Why is the response to air pollution in Delhi considered inadequate?

The government's response is often criticized for being reactive rather than proactive, with solutions being short-term and reactive instead of implementing long-term strategies to address the root causes of pollution.

How does the pollution situation in Lahore compare to Delhi?

While Lahore's air quality index is lower than Delhi's, hovering around 200, it still experiences severe smog, with occasional spikes over 1,500, affecting large parts of Punjab and other cities like Multan.

What factors have contributed to the persistent smog in Lahore and other parts of Pakistan?

The persistent smog in Lahore and surrounding areas is largely due to the lack of rain and wind, which have failed to disperse the smog, allowing it to accumulate and linger for weeks.

How is the pollution in Delhi and Lahore affecting the broader region?

The pollution in both Delhi and Lahore is part of a larger regional issue, with the smog affecting not only these cities but also spreading to nearby regions like Punjab and even parts of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.