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Air pollution levels surge in India’s capital, sparking rare protests
New Delhi's air quality index reached 344, deemed severe by WHO, as residents protest worsening health impacts from crop burning and emissions.
- On Monday, a thick layer of smog enveloped New Delhi, India, worsening a public health crisis as the air quality index reached 344, a level severe under World Health Organization recommended exposure limits.
- Seasonal crop-burning and local emissions have driven winter pollution spikes, as Delhi winters are dry and windless, allowing toxic particles to linger up to 20 times the World Health Organization's safe limit.
- Late Sunday, hundreds of protesters including parents and environmental activists gathered at India Gate, many wearing masks and carrying a placard reading `I miss breathing`, and protester Meghna said she came as a worried citizen.
- Residents are suffering headaches and persistent coughs, and frustration is mounting toward politicians accused of trading blame instead of enforcing policies to tackle the annual health emergency.
- Home to more than 30 million people, New Delhi and its surrounding region rank among the world's most polluted areas, with temporary measures like banned construction and cloud seeding, but critics say only long-term emission cuts will bring relief.
Insights by Ground AI
10 Articles
10 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
Factuality
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