NEW DELHI: Residents in India’s northern states woke up to another day of poor air quality on Tuesday, as a layer of dense fog shrouded most of the region, and pollution in the capital Delhi remained severe.
India battles air pollution every winter as cold, heavy air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from farm fires started illegally in the adjoining, farming states of Punjab and Haryana.
The air quality index (AQI) touched a peak of 491 in Delhi on Monday, forcing the government to introduce restrictions on vehicle movement and construction activities, and schools to conduct classes online.
On Tuesday, Delhi’s 24-hour air quality index (AQI) reading was at 488 on a scale of 500, India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said, and at least five stations in the capital reported an AQI of 500.
CPCB defines an AQI reading of 0-50 as “good” and above 401 as “severe,” which it says is a risk to healthy people and “seriously impacts” those with existing diseases.
Swiss group IQAir ranked New Delhi as the world’s most polluted city with air quality at a “hazardous” 489, although that was a significant improvement from Monday’s 1,081 reading.
Experts say the scores vary because of a difference in the scale countries adopt to convert pollutant concentrations into AQI, and so the same quantity of a specific pollutant may be translated as different AQI scores in different countries.
India’s weather department said a shift in the fog layer toward the northern state of Uttar Pradesh had helped improve visibility over Delhi.
Visibility dropped to zero meters in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Agra, which lies southeast of Delhi. The Taj Mahal, India’s famed monument of love, has been obscured by toxic smog for nearly a week.
The strict measures to mitigate the impact of high pollution have hurt production at more than 3.4 million micro, small and medium enterprises in the nearby states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, local media reported.
Toxic smog persists over India’s north; Delhi pollution remains severe
https://arab.news/8g5nc
Toxic smog persists over India’s north; Delhi pollution remains severe
Britain’s King Charles honors UK train attack ‘hero’ Samir Zitouni
- Zitouni was hailed a hero for protecting passengers during a knife attack on a train in England last month
LONDON: King Charles met “heroic ” British-Arab train guard Samir Zitouni at a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Zitouni was hailed a hero for protecting passengers during a knife attack on a train in England last month.
The king was pictured shaking hands with Zitouni, who was seriously injured when he intervened as an attacker stabbed passengers on a Doncaster to London service on Nov. 1.
The train was diverted to Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire following the incident.
Known as Sam to friends, Zitouni attended the reception with his wife, Eleni Sakkoulei, alongside members of the public and railway staff who displayed exceptional bravery during the attack.
The suspect arrested in connection with the incident has been charged with multiple offenses, including possession of a bladed article on Nov. 1, as well as other offenses in the hours leading up to the attack.
He remains in custody pending court hearings scheduled for next year.
A GoFundMe page set up to support Zitouni, who has worked for LNER for more than 20 years, has raised almost £80,000 ($107,000).
In a statement shared on the crowdfunding page, Zitouni’s wife said he “acted as a shield to protect the lives of others,” adding that he would do the same “for anyone, regardless of color, age, gender, religion or origin.”
Fund organizer Gemma Royce said the appeal was launched while Zitouni was in critical condition in hospital, to allow the family to focus on his recovery.
LNER managing director David Horne said Zitouni’s actions were “incredibly brave,” adding that the company was proud of all staff who showed courage during the incident.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Mr. Zitouni had gone to work to do his job and “left a hero,” while shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said he would be nominating him for a gallantry award.
