As Delhi's pollution reaches 'emergency' levels, Twitter reacts to smog chokehold
Winter's here, and so is the bane of every Dilliwala's (Noida and Gurgaon residents too) existence – deadly smog. Pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR have crossed permissible levels bringing the citizens to their knees and left gasping for fresh air.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has categorised the air pollution levels recorded in Delhi as "severe", forcing the Delhi government to shut all primary schools on Wednesday (November 8) as pollution hit 70 times the World Health Organisation’s safe level.
Doctors in the capital have warned of a public health emergency and warned people of going out or risk chronic lung and heart diseases. Not surprisingly, citizens have not taken the news nicely, with many of them taking to Twitter to express outrage over the deteriorating situation.
The air pollution in DELHI is alarming and I hope someone is keen on doing something about it. Lives of little children are at risk and this is not the state of affairs we want them to be growing up in. Time for talk is over. Needs some effective action.
— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) November 7, 2017
Dear @ArvindKejriwal Delhi is choking and government continues to be in denial. This is an emergency situation, WAKE UP! #MyRightToBreathe
— Brikesh (@Brikesh) November 7, 2017
Saanson ki zaroorat hai jaiseZindagi ke liyeBas ek sheher chaahiye..Zindagi ke liye (Apologies to the 90’s) South #Delhi #smog pic.twitter.com/XUyAWqLa8m
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) November 8, 2017
What is just happening in this city?Little to no visibility, vehicles colliding one after the other.If isn't a man made disaster, what is?#Smog https://t.co/YwabRQDcqw
— Shweta Kothari (@Shwkothari) November 8, 2017
Called father to tell him AQI is over 1500 & he said news channels are telling a different tale. Thankfully @ayeshasood has a proper meter pic.twitter.com/FSACor53NO
— Koval (@kovalbhatia) November 8, 2017
Some even took the opportunity to sneak in some witty jokes and memes in a bid to highlight the seriousness of the situation.
#delhipollution #delhiAirpollution #DelhiChokes #Delhi #PollutionInDelhi #pollution #cleanair #Superman #LungCancerAwareness #SmogAlert #smog pic.twitter.com/MP7YLd7aJK
— Naved Jafri (@NavedJafri_BOO) November 8, 2017
Blade Runner 2040 (Dystopia) Vs Delhi (Reality) pic.twitter.com/Tr6Gj0LCi1
— Srinivas Kodali (@digitaldutta) November 7, 2017
Delhiite 1: tu jaanta nahi mera baap kaun haiDelhiite 2: abey pehle ye bata tu kaun hai..kuch dikhai nahi de raha bc #smog
— InGenious (@Bees_Kut) November 7, 2017
If our Prime Minister actually stayed in Delhi for any length of time then perhaps action to mitigate air pollution might be taken.
— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) November 7, 2017
Air quality in Delhi, this morning. pic.twitter.com/OifNnYxkE1
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 7, 2017
But this wasn't all. To add insult to injury, Delhi also hosted Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on a day the city’s pollution levels rose so high that it was described as a "gas chamber" by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Not surprisingly, Twitter again had a field day mocking the government and authorities for the turn of events.
It's almost as if India is inviting the world's monarchs to breathe Delhi's toxic air to make the world more democratic. https://t.co/rKRzioLaCW
— Siddharth Singh (@siddharth3) November 8, 2017
Prince Charles lands in Delhi, seen here squinting to try and see who's hand he is shaking. #smog pic.twitter.com/t6jLgb4ROu
— Kabir Taneja (@KabirTaneja) November 8, 2017
Think that’s Charles & Camilla arriving in Delhi, but can’t be sure. pic.twitter.com/4OvCrXgGuL
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) November 8, 2017
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall arrive in #DelhiWhat a time to visit. The #smog is very much visible. Hope they enjoy #DelhiSmog.#smogindelhi #delhiAirpollution #delhipollution #DelhiChokes pic.twitter.com/4ztc0yGS3y
— Jagrati Shukla (@JagratiShukla29) November 8, 2017