Smog Emergency Declared as India and Pakistan Struggle with Severe Air Pollution

A health crisis in the Indian subcontinent unfolds as heavy smog threatens communities in New Delhi and Punjab, leading to emergency declarations.

Toxic smog has enveloped New Delhi, prompting a medical emergency declaration as hazardous air quality persists across northern India and parts of Pakistan. Measures including school closures and recommendations for residents to stay indoors were implemented on Sunday as air quality levels in the Indian capital reached alarming highs, according to reports from IQAir. The capital, which is home to approximately 55 million inhabitants, saw pollution levels soar beyond 1,600 on IQAir's scale, a worrying figure given that levels above 301 are deemed hazardous.

Delhi's Chief Minister, Atishi Marlena, described the situation as a crisis, acknowledging that the entire region is facing severe pollution challenges. Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, has similarly encountered ongoing air quality struggles, with authorities calling for the cancellation of outdoor events, the closure of schools, and advisories for workers to remain at home.

The late fall typically brings severe air quality to northern India and Pakistan due to widespread agricultural practices, particularly the burning of rice stubble. This year, however, the pollution has reached unprecedented levels, with Punjab reporting a rise above 1,000 on the pollution index for the first time, triggering an emergency declaration that warns of escalating respiratory ailments among the population.

As a response to worsening air quality, Punjab had closed schools earlier this month and expanded restrictions in subsequent weeks. New Delhi followed suit, announcing several educational shifts to online learning and pausing construction projects that contribute to air pollution. New measures, including a ban on diesel trucks, have also been introduced to curb further degradation of air quality.

Experts attribute the severe pollution not only to agricultural practices in the region but also to weather conditions that trap contaminants, resulting in a dire situation for millions of residents. Both Indian and Pakistani officials have pointed fingers at each other regarding the source of the problem, underscoring the complexity of the crisis that challenges governance and public health in the region.