Heavy Pollution Shuts Schools In Iran's Capital
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published November 14, 2016 | 01:45 PM
TEHRAN, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2016 ) - Tehran officials shut schools on Monday as the first of the winter's heavy pollution hit the Iranian capital. A blanket of choking brown-white smog descended on the city on Sunday, blocking out the view of the mountains that line its northern edge and leading many of its 14 million residents to retreat indoors or don face masks in the street.
The level of the deadliest PM2.5 particles hit 156 on Monday -- more than three times the level considered safe by the World Health Organisation. "Kindergartens and Primary schools are closed on Monday in Tehran and most of the cities of the province," the Ministry of education announced, according to official agency Irna.
Officials extended traffic restrictions that alternate cars with odd and even licence plates in two central parts of the city, and deployed ambulances to wait in the busiest and dirtiest areas.
Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rode the metro to work on Sunday in a bid to encourage people to use public transport. Despite having around 100 stations, Ghalibaf says the metro is not sufficiently funded by the central government, and Tehran has some of the world's worst traffic congestion.
Pollution has become a political football in recent years, with conservatives and reformists blaming each other for the problem. Hardliners regularly accuse the reformist vice-president Massoumeh Ebtekar, who heads the environmental protection organisation, of not doing enough.
The ultra-conservative daily Vatane Emrooz said Monday that 70 percent of deaths in Tehran were linked to pollution. The pollution has been building for six consecutive days and is expected to continue until Wednesday when forecasters hope winds will move the stagnant air, an official told state television.
Residents were advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, with warnings that pollution is particularly dangerous for the elderly, pregnant, children and those with existing respiratory and heart conditions.
Sand and cement factories around Tehran were also shuttered. Every year, Tehran suffers some of the worst pollution in the world when cold weather traps the vast levels of exhaust from the city's 10 million ageing cars and motorbikes.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Security forces kill four terrorists in Tank
Fake immoral video of Ducky Bhai's wife goes on viral on social media
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 April 2024
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 April 2024
Fresh wave of rainfall in AJK continues for the second consecutive day
Babar, bowlers help Pakistan level series 2-2 against New Zealand
Attack in restive Chilean province leaves three police officers dead
PM, Saudi Royal court advisor discuss ways to boost economic ties
England clinch third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam
DC Bahawalnagar leads fight for fair bread prices
More Stories From World
-
20,000 Georgians march 'for Europe', protest controversial bill
5 minutes ago -
Madrid wary of 'bestia negra' Bayern in 'European Clasico'
14 minutes ago -
S. Africa's ex-president Zuma makes surprise comeback
14 minutes ago -
Climate change, Brexit threaten to wilt Dutch tulips
14 minutes ago -
Clippers thwart Mavs' comeback bid, Brunson's 47 points fuel Knicks win
15 minutes ago -
New Zealand's McLaughlin wins second straight Alabama IndyCar race
15 minutes ago
-
English version of book about Xi's elaborations on BRI published
2 hours ago -
Alcaraz passes 'test of fire', Sabalenka survives in Madrid Open
4 hours ago -
Clippers thwart Mavs' comeback bid, Brunson's 47 points fuel Knicks win
4 hours ago -
Dozens of tornadoes plow central US, at least 5 killed
4 hours ago -
Hamas delegation to arrive in Egypt for Gaza truce talks
4 hours ago -
Masood Khan hails Pakistani-American physicians role in upgrading Pakistan's healthcare system; also ..
4 hours ago