Delhi or Gotham City? Emergency in India, smog chokes locals

Monday, November 7, 2016, 10:25 AM - The state of Delhi, India has declared an "emergency situation" amid continuous days of relentless smog. The air quality has now reached more than 15 times the limit deemed safe by the government.

Following an emergency cabinet meeting, the state's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, closed all schools in New Delhi for three days and vowed to take action against the region's severe air pollution. Construction and demolition projects were reportedly banned for five days.

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Kejriwal also pledged to close the coal-based Badarpur power plant for 10 days, India's NDTV notes.

Initial reports pegged the smog on India's widely celebrated holiday, Diwali, during which countless firecrackers were launched and air quality ranged from "very unhealthy" to "hazardous." However, officials confirm that the common practice of crop burning in neighbouring states was a significant contributing factor to the dangerous air quality levels.

As the smog continues to linger, much of Delhi (including India's capital city of New Delhi) bears the look of urban decay often associated with Marvel's fictitious Gotham City.

Both locals and tourists alike shared similar commentary, along with visuals of the intense air pollution. Here are some of social media's most eye-opening posts about Delhi's air quality crisis.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Florenz Baute, Instagram.

SOURCES: BBC | NDTV