All private and government schools will notice winter break from November 9 - 18," states warning
Wednesday, November 08, 2023
Pakistan and India are fighting a common enemy – smog.
Pollution forces closure of businesses and schools in Lahore.
An early winter break has been announced in Delhi.
NEW DELHI: Indian authorities have announced a change in the winter break schedule, closing all schools in New Delhi due to poor air quality due to smog.
The development comes a day after the Pakistan government declared a health emergency in Lahore and two other divisions from November 9 to 12.
All markets, malls, restaurants, cinemas, gymnasiums, schools and offices (public and private) will remain closed for four days in Lahore, Gujranwala and Hafizabad divisions, the provincial health department said.
Both countries are severely affected by high levels of smog these days, which increase the difficulty for people and cause a number of health problems.
According to a notification issued by the Education Department in New Delhi: “Following the implementation of GRAP-IV measures due to Severe + Air Quality prevailing in Delhi and as it does not anticipate any respite from such adverse weather conditions in the near future. IMD, the winter break for the 2023-24 session is ordered so that schools can be completely closed and children and teachers can stay at home.'
Accordingly, the notification added that all schools are observing winter vacation from November 9 to 18.
Growing industrialization in South Asia in recent decades has fueled rising pollutants from factories, construction activities and vehicles in densely populated areas.
The problem becomes more severe in the colder fall and winter months, as temperature inversions prevent a layer of warm air from rising and trapping pollutants closer to the ground.
Heavy smog has enveloped Lahore this week, reducing visibility and leading residents to complain of threats to their health.
"The weather is such that everyone has a bad throat and bad eyes, and everyone's health is affected," said Mohammad Salahuddin, a private security guard in Lahore.
Rising air pollution may reduce life expectancy per person by more than five years in South Asia, one of the world's most polluted regions, according to a report released in August that highlighted the growing health burden of hazardous air.
