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New Delhi was once ranked the world's most polluted city, according to Greenpeace and AirVisual – a report by these two organizations showed that 7 out of the 10 most air-polluted cities in the world are in India.
On November 3rd, major airlines including Air India and SpiceJet warned of cancellations or delays to and from the city's international airport. While aircraft could still land during the sudden drop in visibility due to pollution, not all pilots were trained to do so. However, air conditions improved later that afternoon, allowing some flights to continue.
New Delhi has over 18 million people and 8.8 million registered vehicles, more than any other city in India, according to government statistics from 2016.
According to CNN, at this time of year, pollution in the city worsens as temperatures drop and farmers light fires to clear land for the planting season. Smoke from firecrackers celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, also exacerbates air pollution.
In recent days, smog has blanketed the city, severely reducing visibility, disrupting traffic, and paralyzing outdoor activities for residents.
On November 1st, Kejriwal announced that authorities had begun distributing 5 million masks to students in the city. Schools in the area have been ordered to close until November 5th.
