New Delhi- In response to the alarming rise in air pollution levels, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced today that all primary schools in the city will transition to online classes until further notice. This decision comes as Delhi's air quality remains in the 'severe' category, posing a significant health risk to residents.

The announcement was made on Thursday morning as Delhi residents awoke to a thick smog, with the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 430. This marks the second consecutive day of hazardous pollution levels in the capital. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that several areas across Delhi recorded AQI readings exceeding 400, indicating critical pollution levels.

Some of the areas with the highest AQI readings included Anand Vihar (473), Ashok Vihar (474), Dwarka Sector 8 (458), and Jahangirpuri (471). Other areas such as Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, RK Puram, Rohini, and Major Dhyanchand Stadium also reported readings above 450, indicating 'severe' pollution levels. While in a few locations of the national capital, including DTU (398), Mathura Road (395), Dilshad Garden (385), Lodhi Road (370), and Sri Aurobindo Marg (345), the AQI level remained at 'very poor' level.

This decision follows warnings from Swiss-based monitoring organization IQAir, which reported AQI levels as high as 1,133 in certain parts of Delhi on Wednesday. The organization classified the air as 'hazardous,' attributing the high PM2.5 levels to ongoing stubble burning in neighboring Punjab and Haryana.

The Chief Minister's office stated that the shift to online learning aims to protect the health of young children, particularly those vulnerable to respiratory problems. The Chief Minister announced that primary schools in Delhi would transition to online classes due to worsening air quality, with the duration of this measure dependent on future developments.