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Air pollution kills more than a million people each year in India. A View of Connaught Place cover with heavy smog and foggy weather on November 12, 2021 Agricultural burning and celebratory fireworks have worsened the situation New Delhi authorities on Saturday said schools in the Indian capital would be closed for a week as a Supreme Court judge suggested imposing a pollution lockdown. "Schools will be shut so that children don't have to breathe polluted air," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. The schools had only just reopened after a COVID-19 lockdown. The decision came as many students stayed at home over the past week as air quality worsened and the coronavirus continued to pose a threat. How serious is the pollution? Delhi, considered one of the world's most polluted capital cities, is recording dangerous levels of pollutants in the atmosphere. The Indian capital is being hit by factory and vehicle emissions as well as smoke from agricultural fires and dust from building sites. The latest wave of pollution was exacerbated by families burning the remains of last year's crop before the winter. The launching of thousands of fireworks to celebrate the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, has further deepened the problem. Watch video 03:07 India: Air pollution from annual 'stubble burning' "After COVID, pollution has emerged a major threat for public health particularly for children and senior citizens," Ashok Agarwal, national president of the All India Parents' Association, said earlier in the week. On Saturday, harmful PM 2.5 particle levels topped 300 on the Air Quality Index (AQI), 20 times the maximum daily limit recommeded by the World Health Organization. The Central Pollution Control Board said that "low winds with calm conditions during the night" would continue until November 18, causing headaches and breathing problems. "We are getting 12-14 patients daily in the emergency room, mostly at night, when the symptoms cause disturbed sleep and panic," Dr Suranjit Chatterjee from Apollo Hospitals told the Times of India newspaper. What is a pollution lockdown? On Saturday, a Supreme Court judge spoke of imposing a lockdown on the city of New Delhi to help alleviate the air quality issues on residents. "How will we live otherwise?" Chief Justice N.V. Ramana asked. Delhi's chief minister said his government would consider the court's suggestion after discussing the possibility with major stakeholders in the city. "Pollution lockdown has never happened before. It will be an extreme step," Kejriwal said. Commuters seen early morning as heavy smog engulfed Moti Bagh on November 12, 2021 in New Delhi, India A judge has raised the prospect of a pollution lockdown He said that construction activity would be halted for four days to cut down on dust. Authorities asked public and private workers to work from home if possible. India reports more than a million deaths from air pollution every year. jc/aw (AFP, Reuters, dpa) * Date 13.11.2021 * Related Subjects India * Keywords India, New Delhi, schools, lockdown, breathing problems, COVID-19 * Send us your feedback. * Print Print this page * Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/42xhG Advertisement Facebook Offizielles Logo DW News on Facebook 11.07.2017 Twitter Offizielles Logo Follow @dwnews on Twitter 11.07.2017 * TOP STORIES * Coronavirus * World * Germany * Business * Science * Environment * Culture * Sports * * A - Z Index * MEDIA CENTER * Live TV * All media content * Latest Programs * Podcasts * TV * Schedule and Reception * TV Programs * * RADIO * LEARN GERMAN * German Courses * German XXL * Community D * Teaching German * ABOUT DW * Who we are * Press * GMF * Business & Sales * Advertising * Travel * SERVICE * Reception * Apps & Co. * Newsletters & Co. * FAQ * Contact * * DW AKADEMIE * About us * Media Development * Master's Degree * Traineeship * Training (c) 2021 Deutsche Welle | Privacy Policy | Legal notice | Contact | Mobile version