Deadly smog forces Gurgaon schools to shut, others curb outdoor activities
ALARMING But Delhi health minister says shutting down schools won’t help much as pollution levels peak around midnight
NEW DELHI/GURGAON: The dangerous blanket of smog over the National Capital Region, which the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) described as the worst in 17 years, forced some schools in the national capital region to declare a holiday on Friday. Many other schools suspended the morning assembly and outdoor activities to keep children indoors.
Others were waiting for a direction from the government.
Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, said it had postponed its Sports Day scheduled for November 10 to February 2017. Jyoti Arora, principal Mount Abu Public School, Delhi said along with suspending outdoor activities, they were advising students to wear masks.
“As pollution levels are high in the morning, we suspended the morning assembly till situation improved. Sports activities will be conducted in the auditorium. Our sports day has also been postponed so that students don’t have to practice in the open,” said principal Madhulika Sen.
HT on Thursday reported that children are the most vulnerable with pollution levels increasing. High concentration of particulate matters in this smog can cause respiratory infections and irreversible lung damage.
Students in Gurgaon will have a long weekend as several schools have declared Friday as a holiday. The Shri Ram School Aravali, The Shri Ram School Moulsari (except class 10 and 12), The Heritage School and Shiv Nadar School (pre and primary wing) have decided to give an off.
Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, who heads the special task force of Delhi government on pollution, said shutting down schools will not serve any purpose. Pollution, he said, peaks around midnight. “Instead of schools, we will have to shut homes (going by the trend) as the severe conditions peak at night. Scientists, who attended the meeting said it is wrong to say it peaks early morning,” Jain told reporters after chairing a meeting of the task force.
But mornings are no better, data suggests.
On Thursday, the highest level of particulate matter was recorded at 5.30am. The levels reached 955 umg/m3, which is almost 16 times higher than the permissible levels.