Indian Air Pollution Crisis Enters Second Week; PM 2.5 Index Near 500
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A thick cloud of toxic smog 10 times the recommended limit enveloped India’s capital, New Delhi, on Monday, as government officials struggled to tackle a public health crisis that is well into its second week.
A U.S. embassy measure showed levels of poisonous airborne particles, known as PM 2.5, had reached 498 on Monday afternoon, compared with the upper limit of “good” quality air at 50.
India’s weather office said rain was forecast over the next three days which could help clear the smog. “Light rainfall is likely in states surrounding Delhi and in Delhi over the next three days, and this could result in a change in wind pattern in the region,” Charan Singh, a scientist at India Meteorological Department, told Reuters. “Smog will start to abate starting tomorrow.”
But Skymet, India’s only private weather forecaster, said dense smog would continue over Delhi and the surrounding area for at least the next two days.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-pollution/smog-chokes-indian-capital-as-emergency-measures-fail-to-bring-relief-idUSKBN1DD0K1
