November 08, 2017•Update: November 09, 2017
By Shuriah Niazi
NEW DELHI, India
Schools were ordered to close down till the weekend as a thick grey smog continued to engulf capital New Delhi on Wednesday.
The smog had forced 20-million plus residents of the city to largely remain indoors.
Visibility was very poor while air quality in several parts of the city was also categorized “severe”.
At least one person was killed and six others injured after 18 vehicles crashed and piled-up on the Agra-Noida Yamuna Expressway due to dense fog, according to Times Now.
The Indian Medical Association had already declared a “state of medical emergency” to deal with the situation.
Hospitals in the city witnessed a surge in number of patients complaining of respiratory problems and allergies.
People were seen wearing masks outside to escape the polluted air.
Air pollution is responsible for 3,000 premature deaths in the capital every year, according to The Hindu.
One in three Delhi kids has reduced lung function and high propensity for increased pulmonary hemorrhage.
Meanwhile, the state government ordered all schools in New Delhi to remain closed till Sunday.
"Due to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, the health of children cannot be compromised.
We have ordered the closure of all the schools in Delhi until Sunday," tweeted Manish Sisodia, regional deputy chief minister.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday had described Delhi as a “gas chamber”.
