Delhi's air pollution brings back memories of Los Angeles..: US Ambassador
text_fieldsNew Delhi: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti today said air pollution in Delhi reminds him of the similar situation of Los Angeles in the 1970s and 80s.
Garcetti remembered growing up in Los Angeles when air quality was as bad as it is now in Delhi, children were warned not to go outside to play, according to NDTV.
India’s national capital has continued to be wrapped up in smoky haze for third day in a row.
Garcetti's remarks highlighted the gravity of the crisis the national capital has been facing for a long time.
‘On a day like this in Delhi, it brings back memories of growing up in Los Angeles where the air was the most polluted air anywhere in America. Where like today, we were given warnings by our teachers that you cannot go outside to play, just as my daughter was given by her teacher today as I dropped her off to school,’ Garcetti was quoted as saying.
Scientists worry about farm fires and inclement weather causing further rise in pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region over the next two weeks.
With air quality index exceeding 400 in many areas, medical professionals fear it will aggravate asthma and lung problems in children and seniors.
Worsening pollution levels hit 351 at 10 am today, marking a high of 364 on Wednesday and a low of 261 on Friday.
Severe air quality readings were recorded in places including Punjabi Bagh, Bawana, Mundka, and Anand Vihar with AQI exceeding 400.
PM2.5 levels hit six to seven times the safe limit, reaching up to 420 micrograms per cubic metre.
Delhi's environment minister Gopal Rai banned for five days construction works in areas with AQI above 400.
Alongside, the government introduced ‘Red Light On Gaadi Off’ campaign to reduce vehicular pollution.
The government will hire 1,000 private CNG buses to bolster public transportation.