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world news Diahuebs 18 November 2021

Schools close as smog-laden India capital considers lockdown

(AP) — Authorities closed “This is not the solution that dia that watered down crucial
schools indefinitely and we are looking for, because language about coal.
shut down some coal- this is hugely disruptive. And
burning power plants we also have to keep in mind The agreement as amended
Wednesday to reduce that the economy is already would “phase down” rather
air pollution in India’s under pressure, poor people than “phase out” coal power,
smog-shrouded capital are at risk,” said Anumita the biggest source of green-
and neighboring states, Roychowdhury, executive house gas emissions.
as the country weighs an director at the Center for
unprecedented and more Science and Environment, a Levels of dangerous particles
far-reaching step: a lock- research and advocacy orga- in New Delhi’s air Wednes-
down in New Delhi. nization in New Delhi. day were as high as seven
times the safe level, climbing
The dirty-air crisis in the city Soaring pollution levels in above 300 micrograms per
of more than 20 million peo- the capital prompted a federal cubic meter in some parts of
ple has underscored India’s environment ministry pan- the city. The World Health
heavy dependence on coal, el to issue strict guidelines Organization designates the ing to the federal govern- the steps have had little ef-
which accounts for 70% of Tuesday night to stem the safe level as 25. ment. The crisis deepens in fect.
the country’s power. pollution and show residents the cold-weather months
that the government is taking Forecasters warned air qual- when the burning of crop Residents say the govern-
The New Delhi state gov- action against a crisis that has ity will worsen before the ar- residue in neighboring states ment isn’t doing enough.
ernment said it is open to the plagued the city for years. rival of cold winds next week coincides with lower temper-
idea of a weekend lockdown that will blow away the smog. atures that trap smoke. That Suresh Chand Jain, a New
to reduce automobile traffic Besides closing schools and smoke travels to New Delhi. Delhi shop owner, said au-
and potentially other air-pol- shutting down some power Earlier this month, air pollu- thorities should introduce
luting activity in the city, and plants, the Commission for tion reached the “severe” lev- Emissions from industries stricter regulations to limit
it is awaiting the go-ahead Air Quality Management or- el in the capital, and residents with no pollution-control car use and control the burn-
from India’s Supreme Court. dered a stop to construction faced bouts of heavy, multiday technology, smoke from fire- ing of crop residue.
A decision could come as ear- until Nov. 21 and banned pollution. That prompted the crackers linked to festivals,
ly as Nov. 24. trucks carrying non-essential Supreme Court last week to and construction dust also “Shutting down the city will
goods. The panel also di- order state and federal gov- sharply increase in winter not end the pollution,” Jain
It’s not clear how extensive rected the affected states to ernments to take “imminent months. said.
the lockdown would be. encourage work from home and emergency” action. New
Authorities are discussing for half of the employees in Delhi authorities responded Several studies have estimat- Experts say such emergency
whether to allow industries all private offices. by proposing a lockdown and ed that more than a million measures are not helpful in
to continue operating. closing schools for a week. Indians die each year because the long run.
The importance of coal to In- of air pollution-related dis-
Some experts said a lock- dia was underlined just days Among the many Indian cit- eases. “These are done only to en-
down would achieve very ago at the world climate talks ies gasping for breath, New sure that you don’t worsen
little in controlling pollution in Scotland, where almost Delhi tops the list every year. The capital has often experi- the situation, that you shave
and would instead cause dis- 200 nations accepted a com- mented with limiting the off the peak. But it is not a sil-
ruptions in the economy and promise deal to fight global Auto emissions contribute number of cars on the road, ver bullet that is going to just
harm the livelihoods of mil- warming. It contained a last- nearly 25% of the city’s pol- using large anti-smog guns clean the air immediately,”
lions of people. minute change sought by In- lution in the winter, accord- and halting construction. But Roychowdhury said.

Belarus brings some migrants at Polish border in from cold

(AP) — Hundreds of mi- border crisis, with migrants the Middle East, have been ceived information that they he shot video of the chants.
grants who were camped throwing stones at Polish stuck at the border since Nov. were leaving on buses. “These people are expressing
in the cold on the Poland- forces massed on their side of 8. Most are fleeing conflict happiness and optimism in
Belarus border have been the razor-wire fence, injur- or despair at home and want The Belarus state news agen- this cold and ugly camp.”
moved to a nearby ware- ing 12, and they responded to reach Germany or other cy Belta reported that mi-
house in Belarusian terri- with water cannons and tear western European countries. grants were moved to a heat- They sat on blankets, most
tory, reports said Wednes- gas. Warsaw accused Belaru- ed, warehouse-like building still wrapped in heavy jackets
day, with some reported to sian forces of instigating the The West has accused Be- about 500 meters (yards) and raincoats.
still harbor hopes of enter- conflict, while the govern- larus President Alexander from the border near Bruzgi,
ing the European Union. ment in Minsk denounced Lukashenko of using the mi- giving them the chance to Belta reported about 1,000
Poland’s “violent actions.” grants as pawns to destabilize rest indoors after many days migrants agreed Tuesday to
The move came a day af- the 27-nation bloc in retali- in tents. move into the building, lo-
ter a melee broke out in the The migrants, mostly from ation for its sanctions on his cated near Bruzgi, to “wait
authoritarian regime. Belarus One of them, an Iraqi Kurd for the situation to resolve,”
denies orchestrating the cri- named Miran Ali, took video and it quoted some of them
sis, which has seen migrants inside the warehouse and said as saying that they are not
entering the country since Belarusian authorities said planning to return to their
summer and then trying to they wouldn’t be forced to home countries. Most of the
cross the borders into Po- return home, causing the mi- building’s space has been al-
land, Lithuania and Latvia. grants to chant in gratitude, located for the migrants, who
“Belarus! Belarus! Belarus!” are offered food, water, med-
On Wednesday, Poland’s Bor- ical aid, mattresses and pil-
der Guard tweeted a video “This is the joy and happi- lows, the news agency said.
showing migrants with bags ness of Kurdish people after
and backpacks being directed they were told that they will Some migrants opted to stay
by Belarus forces away from not be sent back to Kurdistan outside near the border. Po-
the camp near the Kuznica by force, and that they can land’s Defense Ministry
border crossing, and Polish wait here until Germany or posted video showing people
Deputy Interior Minister one of the cities in Germany and tents there, with some
Maciej Wasik said he had re- take them there,” Ali said as smoke rising from bonfires.