Delhi smog hits ‘emergency’ levels as Britain’s Prince Charles visits
- For second time in 10 days, level of deadly tiny particles in air reaches nearly 20 times safe limit set by World Health Organisation
- India’s Supreme Court orders new clampdown, slamming government for lack of ‘constructive efforts’ to curb pollution
The Indian capital’s notorious air pollution hit “emergency” levels again Wednesday, coinciding with a visit by Britain’s Prince Charles.
New Delhi has been choked on and off for weeks, as industrial and traffic pollution – combined with smoke from crop stubble burning – cast a toxic pall over the metropolis.
For the second time in 10 days, the amount of 2.5PM – the deadly tiny particles that get into the bloodstream and lungs – hit “emergency” levels, nearly 20 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organisation.
With the government facing new criticism over steps taken to counter the pollution, Prince Charles visited the Indian Meteorology Department as part of his two-day visit to India.
Charles, frequently outspoken on green issues, was briefed on the crisis by Sunita Narain, a leading environmental activist.