Kejriwal govt shuts primary schools today as Delhi turns into gas chamber

New Delhi: The national capital on Tuesday gasped for oxygen as a toxic haze reduced visibility, affected flights, prompting the Delhi government to shut down primary schools on Wednesday. Moreover, all schools have been asked to stop outdoor activities, including morning assemblies.

“Government, municipal corporations, and private schools till Class V will remain closed on Wednesday. The decision on further running of classes in Delhi schools after will be taken after reviewing the situation on Wednesday. We are keeping a very close eye and monitoring the situation 24x7,” deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said. Delhiites woke up to a thick blanket of smog as pollution levels hit “severe” category on Tuesday and the levels of ultra fine particles surpassed the figures recorded during Diwali.

The government has also issued an advisory to all morning walkers, high-risk groups like children, elderly, pregnant women, asthma patients, cardiac patients etc. to stay away from pollution/outdoor activities during early morning and evening hours. Till Monday evening, the air quality index was in “very poor” category.