The weather in Delhi has been pleasant but it is the pollution in the air that has been taking a toll. The thick layer of smog has taken over entire Delhi – NCR and neighboring areas of the city. From being the most polluted city in the world to breaking almost all the prior records of pollution, Delhi pollution levels have truly reached its optimum level, it looks like the city officials and citizens themselves are waiting for the major disaster to happen.
But such an adverse smog conditions are not new to the modern day world, way back in 1952 the city of London experienced a similar haze. Lasting a brief period of 5 days, from December 5 to 9 in 1952, the city was completely under a thick layer of smog. The cold weather conditions combined with pollutants from the factories and an anti-cyclone happening over the city made sure that the smog persisted over the city.
Soon, the weather pattern changed and the sky cleared up. But the aftermath of the smog was yet to be seen. On fourth day of the smog, around 4,000 people died prematurely and more than 100,000 reported respiratory problems. By the time the skies cleared up, the total casualties from the smog rounded up to 12,000.
Check the all the developments of Delhi Pollution here.
Post that, strict implications were made by the government and simultaneously laws were implemented to stop such disaster to happen in future. Laws like City of London (Various Powers) Act 1954 and the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968, led to a reduction in air pollution.
What such lessons from the past do is evoke a stroke of fear. Such a fear is very much needed for the city like Delhi where most of the people are stubborn to make changes in their lifestyle. A change is needed now for a better future.
Below you will find pictures that show bewitching similarities between the London Smog and Delhi Smog.
Image Credit: fireplaceproductsuk.com
