People Advised to Stay Indoors as Pollution Levels Skyrocket in Indian Capital

New Delhi (Sputnik) — With the approaching foggy weather accompanying the arrival of winter in India, the nation’s capital of Delhi is bracing itself for pollution-filled mornings with doctors appealing to people to stay inside their homes.

According to a statement issued by the Indian meteorological department (IMD), shallow fog and mist will engulf Delhi almost every morning over the next few weeks and commuters will be subjected to long traffic snarls due to low visibility.

“While high moisture content increases the air’s capacity to hold on to pollutants, the low wind speed is failing to disperse the pollutants that are trapped in the city’s air,” D Saha, head of the air quality laboratory at Central Pollution Control Board, said in a news release.

SAFAR, which maintains data by the union ministry of earth sciences, has forecast levels of PM2.5 and PM10 – the primary pollutants in Delhi air over the next few days.

Organizers of the prestigious ‘Delhi Half Marathon’ annually held at this time of the year, have been asked by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) — the apex medical body of the country — to consider postponing it. The marathon is scheduled for November 19.

Meanwhile, an association of doctors with top hospitals in Delhi have issued an advisory suggesting people, especially elders to avoid morning walks.

“Exercising is vital for health but not when we are breathing poison,” said the health advisory issued as part of a ‘my right to breathe’ campaign initiated by doctors.

Various factors that contribute to the ever-deteriorating air quality in Delhi include vehicular emissions, stubble burning, and the residue derived from burning construction materials, according to Skymet Weather, a private weather agency.