Smog engulfed parts of the national capital on Saturday, with air quality plummeting to the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories. A shocking video has surfaced on social media, showing the sacred Yamuna water with white foam floating on its polluted surface. A reporter—braving the hazardous pollution that resembled candy floss—was seen navigating through the area in a boat. The clip was shared on X by the account Indian Tech & Infra, along with the caption: "Yamuna River condition and people will take bath in it for Chhath Puja soon."
🚨 Yamuna River condition, and people will take bath in it for Chhath Puja soon. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FOTBGKhpDk
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) October 18, 2024
Delhi's AQI, or air quality index, has crossed the 300 mark in several areas as the government grapples with rising air pollution ahead of winter. In Anand Vihar, Akshardham, and surrounding areas, the AQI rose to 334 on Saturday morning, indicating air quality in the ‘very poor’ category.
The national capital is on the brink of the problem it goes through every year – air pollution and toxic Yamuna River froth. Reeling under severe pressure like every year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has now formed 13 coordination committees and the Deputy Commissioners of MCD have been made in charge of creating action plans for all 13 hotspot locations in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said. The minister chaired an emergency meeting with all departments over air pollution in hotspot areas on Friday. This comes ahead of the festival season which after which the air quality in Delhi normally declines.
He said that the engineers from the DPCC have been assigned to each hotspot and to reduce dust pollution, 80 mobile anti-smog guns have been deployed in hotspot areas.