STORY: Schools shut, universities shift to online mode as severe air pollution in Indian capital continues
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Nov. 20, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:31
LOCATION: New Delhi
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of India gate
2. various of air pollution
3. various of the closed schools

STORYLINE:

Air pollution in and around the Indian capital Dehli territory continues to be in the severe category Tuesday with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 494.
   
For the past several days, the city has been battling severe air pollution, forcing authorities to implement tougher measures. Primary and middle schools have already been shut in the city and on the outskirts as precautionary measures. Two premier universities in the city have decided to conduct all classes online until Nov. 22 and 23, respectively, given the deteriorating air quality.
   
On Tuesday, a layer of dense fog shrouded Delhi and most parts of neighboring Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as residents woke up to another day of deteriorated air quality.
   
Reports said of the 35 monitoring stations in the national capital, most recorded an AQI of 500.
   
AQI beyond 500 is severe plus emergency.
   
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an orange alert for dense fog for the second consecutive day.
   
As the visibility plunged due to the toxic smog, several trains, and flights were delayed or canceled in Delhi.
   
Delhi figures in the most polluted cities of the world. Industrial activities and vehicular traffic are significant contributors to air pollution in the city, along with rampant construction.
   
The situation worsens due to the rise in emissions from stubble burning in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, which increases the concentration of prominent pollutants -- PM 2.5 and PM 10 in the air, much beyond the safety limits.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from New Delhi.
(XHTV)