Using the hashtags #DelhiSmog and #DelhiChokes, locals are voicing concern over heavy pollution shrouding the city

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Residents and visitors to Delhi are struggling to cope with severe levels of toxic air pollution that have prompted authorities to declare an “emergency situation” in the city.

Locals have expressed their concern over the dangerous smog on Twitter, with some saying they have been forced to take their families out of Delhi due to concerns over their health. Others said they had not seen the sunrise in more than a week due to the haze that clogs the sky.

ANUJ DATTA (@i_Anuj) #DelhiSmog. Have to leave city for the sake of kids health. @ArvindKejriwal should have banned crackers completely. They r on today again.

Delhi is suffering from its seventh consecutive day of heavy smog, which is a result of farmers in India’s northern plains setting fire to their fields combined with revellers setting off firecrackers to mark the Diwali festival.

The toxic haze hanging over the city contains concentrations of harmful particles that are so high they cannot be measured by most air quality instruments.

Using the hashtags #DelhiSmog and #DelhiChokes, residents and tourists posted about their experiences of the pollution on Twitter.

vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) The same view first at 3.30 and then at 4 pm. WTF is happening to Delhi? #DelhiSmog #DelhiChokes #pollution #Breathe pic.twitter.com/3V31bIeRrZ

Photographs from the city show heavy smog at ground level.

Surabhi Upadhyay (@SurabhiUpadhyay) #cantbreathe #DelhiChokes Horrible- the worst day in the last week. Can't be described #DelhiSmog just shameful pic.twitter.com/Zj7FEVIRFD

Furquan khan (@furquan_khan) Delhi has turned into Gotham city..#SmogCapital #smogindelhi #DelhiChokes pic.twitter.com/Qs7s92sT9x

There was little escape from the toxic cloud, even inside.

Lauren Southern (@Lauren_Southern) It's 5:45 and @FaithGoldy and I can't sleep because our lungs are so bad right now. There's smog in the hotel hallways. #DelhiSmog

Poornima Mishra (@poornima_mishra) Situation is getting worse with each passing day....Panic in the air, every breath is an effort... #smogindelhi #DelhiChokes

Nissar Batla (@nissarbatla) Haven't seen the sunrise in Delhi since past one week...which usually use to be the best part of the day !#DelhiChokes

Journalists covering the visit by the British prime minister Theresa May to Delhi also noted the hazardous conditions.

Anushka Asthana (@GuardianAnushka) Never seen smog like it in Delhi- schools have shut down its so bad. pic.twitter.com/oAKQ8BWE4w

Before and after images from the city also paint a stark picture of the crisis.