Delhi to announce school closures as AQI worsens

Delhi-NCR is grappling with thick smog as the Air Quality Index (AQI) has fallen into the 'very poor' category across several parts of the city. In some

areas, it has plunged to the 'severe' category, with people facing hazardous respiratory problems. Breathing in areas with a 'very poor' AQI is equivalent to smoking 6 to 10 cigarettes per day. In places where the AQI has dipped into the 'severe' category, 16 to 20 cigarettes is what an individual is inhaling per day. Delhi Schools Suspend Outdoor Activities Considering the health hazards it may cause, several schools in Delhi have suspended outdoor activities, and everything is being done inside classrooms or school buildings. Numerous schools have stopped holding assemblies in open grounds and have installed air purifiers within school premises. During this rough period, both government and private institutions have been asked to adhere to the guidelines provided under the Winter Action Plan to safeguard children’s health and curb pollution. Parents Demand Online Classes Amid Worsening Delhi Air Quality Since Delhi's AQI is nowhere near moderate, parents' associations have urged the government to shift all classes to online mode with immediate effect. According to them, the poor air quality is making students sick, and they are unable to attend school in person. As per an India TV report, B.S. Vohra, president of the East Delhi RWAs Federation, condemned the authorities for their lack of preparedness. Questioning the administration, he said, why isn't there a proper classification beyond an AQI of 500, and why have no emergency health measures been put in place? Will Authorities Announce School Closure Due to Pollution? Keeping in view the worsening AQI in Delhi, there are high chances that the government will either announce the closure of educational institutions or shift to online classes. Students and their parents are advised to keep in touch with the school administration for the latest updates. Were Delhi Schools Closed Due to Poor Air Quality in 2024? Yes, because of degrading air quality prompting the imposition of GRAP-IV restrictions, schools across various regions of Delhi were ordered to remain shut for multiple days. Delhi AQI: Region-Wise Air Quality Index Refer to the table below to check region-wise AQI value and category in Delhi:

Monitoring Station (Area)	AQI Value	AQI Category
Rohini, Delhi	434	Severe
Jahangirpuri, Delhi	434	Severe
Mundka, Delhi	431	Severe
Wazirpur, Delhi	428	Severe
R K Puram, Delhi	422	Severe
ITO, Delhi	419	Severe
Punjabi Bagh, Delhi	414	Severe
Ashok Vihar, Delhi	413	Severe
Pusa, Delhi	404	Severe
Chandni Chowk, Delhi	403	Severe