As air quality across Delhi and its surrounding regions hits alarming levels, authorities have mandated a shift to online classes for schools. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to protect citizens, with officials also encouraging private companies and government offices to implement work-from-home policies to reduce traffic and emissions. These preemptive measures are being taken just ahead of the Diwali festival, a period when the capital’s air quality typically deteriorates further due to the widespread use of firecrackers.

The situation is a recurring seasonal crisis for the 20 million residents of Delhi, where cold winter air frequently traps vehicle exhaust, construction dust, and smoke from agricultural burning. With the air quality index recently recorded at a hazardous 382, local residents are already reporting physical symptoms like breathing difficulties and eye irritation. Experts and government officials warn that conditions may worsen in the coming days as stagnant winds prevent pollutants from dispersing, underscoring the severity of the public health challenge facing Northern India this winter.