Haryana Government on Sunday ordered closure of all schools in Gurugram and Faridabad districts on November 4 and 5 amid the smog enveloping major parts of the national capital region.
The schools in Gurugram and Faridabad districts will stay shut on November 4 and 5 owing to the air pollution in the two districts, an official spokesperson said.
The State Government has also asked deputy commissioners of other districts in the NCR region to keep monitoring the pollution level in their respective areas and “take appropriate calls” on closing schools for students up to class 12 or change their school timing in the interest of children’s health, the spokesperson added. Following the orders, Deputy Commissioners in Karnal, Ambala, Kaithal and Sirsa also ordered closure of schools on November 4.Various districts of Haryana have reported air quality index in the “severe” and “very poor” category.In Gurugram, it was 626 at 1.30 p.m. and reduced to 157 at 5.30 p.m. in the evening.
PM 2.5 was 876 at 8.30 a.m. in Panipat town, while it was 826 at 6.30 a.m. in Karnal.PM 2.5 in Ambala was recorded at 719 at 2.30 a.m. on Sunday and by 5.30 p.m. it reduced to 224.
PM 2.5 is tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.