As Delhi enters the festive season, a disturbing video has surfaced on social media, highlighting the city’s ongoing battle with severe air and water pollution. The footage shows a television reporter bathing himself in a thick layer of white froth during a boat ride on the Yamuna River. The video, shared on X by Indian Tech & Infra, reveals the hazardous condition of the river, with the boat navigating through toxic foam, sparking concerns about public health risks during the celebrations.
🚨 Yamuna River condition, and people will take bath in it for Chhath Puja soon. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FOTBGKhpDk
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) October 18, 2024
Environmental experts have raised alarms over the dangers of this toxic froth. Bhim Singh Rawat, Associate Coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People (SANDRP), pointed out the unusual lack of floods during the 2024 monsoon, a factor contributing to the worsening pollution. Rawat noted that the pollution in the Yamuna is particularly visible during festival times, as the river failed to experience its usual low to medium flood spells.
In addition to the Yamuna’s pollution, Delhi’s air quality continues to decline, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 226 on Saturday morning, a level classified as ‘Poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Some of the most affected areas include Akshardham and Anand Vihar, with AQI levels reaching a dangerous ‘Very Poor’ category of 334. The AIIMS area and India Gate are also facing significant pollution with AQI levels above 250, further heightening concerns.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai acknowledged the severity of the situation, warning that air quality is expected to worsen with the arrival of winter. Local authorities have been instructed to identify the sources behind the alarming pollution levels, especially in heavily impacted areas like Wazirpur. The CPCB has cautioned that ‘Poor’ AQI can lead to breathing discomfort, while ‘Very Poor’ levels may cause respiratory illnesses, particularly during extended exposure.
