Today, the national capital woke up to a toxic smog engulfing its every corner. This prompted the state government to shut all schools till Sunday (November 12) and low visibility across the city wreaked havoc for daily commuters.
The situation on road was so deplorable that around 18 cars reportedly rammed into each other at the Agra-Noida Yamuna Expressway owing to poor visibility.
Filled with families including women and young children, cars pilled up one after the other making for a harrowing scene.
In fact, one can clearly see in the video (some speculate it is from last year, but most media houses claim it happened on the morning of November 8) that onlookers rushed to the rescue of most families and helped many to move away from their cars as more cars rammed into them.
Although no casualties were reported from this incident, the horrific incident is proof that smog in Delhi has become dangerous for most Delhiites.
Schools shut due to smog in Delhi
In order to keep children away and safe from smog, on Tuesday, the Delhi state government ordered schools to shut down till Sunday.
Delhi's Education Minister Manish Sisodia reportedly tweeted (in Hindi), "The condition of air in Delhi is getting worse. We cannot compromise on children's health in such a condition. I have asked all schools to remain closed till Sunday."
The state government even issued health advisory for pregnant women, children, the elderly and those suffering from asthma as well as heart conditions.
SAFAR-India, a ministry-run air quality and weather forecasting research centre reportedly advised, "Give a miss to walk today. Stop any activity level if you experience any unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty or fatigue and consult doctor. Masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators may only help if you go out."
But this is clearly not going to be enough.
We will have to also equip ourselves with more knowledge about ways to deal with smog.
So we at theindusparent spoke to Dr Vikas Maurya, Senior Consultant and Head of Department, Respiratory Medicine & Interventional Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, about air pollution and how we can protect ourselves from its harmful effects.
Dr Maurya shared that one must not take this lightly because some of the most harmful effects of smog include:
- It might lead to the onset of allergies or aggravation of already existing allergies and decrease in lung immunity
- It might be instrumental in causing premature birth
- It can cause decrease in the lung function in all age groups
- It might aggravate pre-existing lung and cardiac functions along with uncontrollable or chronic coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
5 preventive measures to tackle smog
With these life-threatening issues, the best way to currently deal with the smog is to take some preventive measure. Dr Maurya lists them:
- People should avoid going outdoors along with doing physical activities like cycling, jogging or any other outdoor exercises.
- N95 masks should be used if it is absolutely necessary to go out.
- Air purifying plants such as aloe vera, ivy and spider plant can be placed in the home and offices.
- To ensure that indoor air pollution does not take place make sure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom.
- Consume fruits rich in vitamin C, magnesium, as well as foods rich in omega fatty acids and consume herbal ginger and tulsi tea
Remember, air pollution poses a major health risk and can cause stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases.
Dr Maurya further adds, "According to the WHO, almost 92 percent of the world’s population lives in areas where the air quality is below the WHO standards. 88 of premature deaths occur in the low- and middle-income countries, where air pollution is escalating at an alarming rate. According to UNICEF, 1 in 7 children are breathing polluted air. Governments and civil society bodies need to join hands to fight air pollution in a systematic and strategic manner."
Therefore, it is the need of the hour to keep our families safe and take timely measures.
Also read: It's official! THIS is India's most polluted city
(All images courtesy: Facebook)
