Delhiites complain of respiratory problems, watery eyes

Residents continued to complain of respiratory problems and burning eyes as entire Delhi and NCR area remained covered in a shroud of smog the entire Saturday, while experts ruled out any respite with the situation expected to continue for a couple of days.

The air quality continued to remain alarming in Delhi-NCR because of calm winds.

Private weather forecaster, Skymet Director, Mahesh Palawat said that entire Delhi-NCR was engulfed in a thick layer of smog due to calm winds which stopped the pollutants for dispersing.

He said that the passing of ‘Western Disturbances’ over Himalayas made the conditions worst in north India including Delhi.

“Whenever western disturbance passes over Himalayas, it increases the level of humidity which enhances the capacity of air to bear the pollutants for a long time. This results in thick layer of smog over the cities,” Palawat said.

“The situation is expected to remain same tomorrow (Sunday) and the day after. The smog will start dispersing after November 7 (Monday) as dry north-westerly winds with speed 10-15 km/hr are expected to sweep through the region,” he said.

Palawat also held the burning of paddy stubble in Punjab and Haryana responsible for sad state of affair in Delhi.

People living in Delhi-NCR complained about respiratory problems and itching in the eyes due to smog all over the region. 

“It was difficult for me to breath properly and my eyes were itching because of high level of air 

pollution today (Saturday). I did not go for morning walk due to smog. Due to smog the gaze was also turning hazy,” Devi Das, a resident of R K Puram area, said.