Diwali celebrations and stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana have left Delhi gasping for breath. Since Monday, the air quality in the national capital has entered the "severe" category -- the second worst level in terms of pollution. According to news agency IANS, stubble burning extended the toxic air quality in Delhi for the third day as persisting calm surface winds prevented dispersion of pollutants. Many on social media complained about a thick haze enveloping the city, saying it has become the norm every winter.
A number of social media users shared pictures of the haze enveloping Delhi and criticising the rise in air pollution. The pictures show the city encapsulated in a thick haze due to the heavy load of smoke from stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab.
"Toxic haze all over," wrote one Twitter user, sharing a picture which shows a blanket of white over the city.
That's a typical afternoon in Delhi 4 days post Diwali.Toxic haze all https://t.co/5lrFUYomIt soar throat & irritation in eyes
— Savii (@Savi_IFS) October 31, 2019
Remember childhood days when I would get asthma attacks in Winters
Where will we stop?
If govt sincerely cares, its high time to act tough!@moefcc pic.twitter.com/ltCMX6c6Sq
"Looks like it's Doomsday in Delhi!" said another.
Looks like it's Doomsday in Delhi !#Haze #Pollution #Smog pic.twitter.com/7GBefTJzo1
— Zafar Abbas (@zafarabbaszaidi) October 29, 2019
A number of people also shared pictures that contrast the air quality after Diwali with that before it. "These before and after Diwali photos of Delhi show exactly how bad the air quality in the city is," wrote Twitter user Rasool Panjaa.
These before and after Diwali photos of Delhi show exactly how bad the air quality in the city is. #DelhiSmog #RightToBreathe #DelhiAirQuality pic.twitter.com/9s15Joalqq
— Rasool Panjaa (@Rasoolshaik2000) October 31, 2019
Another shared before and after pics of Delhi haze where the difference is stark
Delhi:
— IraiyanBlue (@IraiyanbuP) October 31, 2019
1. Before Diwali.
2. After Diwali. pic.twitter.com/1SjE0HTvVD
"First picture is before Diwali firework second after firework," a third Twitter user wrote, sharing two pics
No Joke here. First picture is before Diwali firework second after firework. This is third dayin Delhi after Diwali without Sun. pic.twitter.com/YFDnTxmfJE
— Ramta Jogi (@iamataurr) October 30, 2019
Many other before and after pics were posted on social media to describe how the air quality deteriorated
Delhi before and after diwali.
— Faraz (@mohammadfaraz89) October 29, 2019
Delhites fighting for bursting the fire crackers are actually fighting to feed a diabetic man, with extremely sugar, four glasses of Mcflurry with Oreos.
Ps: Mcflurry with Oreos is sweet as death. I recommend. #DelhiPollution pic.twitter.com/vyzjYGzdyy
Twitter users from the National Capital Region shared pics of the haze
My balcony view in Noida before and after Diwali. @lava_mobiles #Diwali #Delhi #Pollution #SwacchDiwali
— Mr. Saifi (@Handsom_hunk_) October 29, 2019
Tagging @salmanzaidifam @sejalkumar1195
@patnirajendraofficial
@sanyakybopha pic.twitter.com/g61Vgfop69
The air quantity index, which takes into account five chief pollutants including PM10 and PM2.5, was recorded at 416 towards noon on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed "with folded hands" to the Punjab and Haryana governments to put an end to stubble burning. The government will start distributing 50 lakh N95 masks among school students in Delhi from Friday, he added.
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