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Air Quality Alert

BEFORE AND AFTER Above, people approach New Delhi’s India Gate on September 26. The same path is shown below on November 18. SAJJAD HUSSAIN—AFP/GETTY IMAGES

On November 18, the more than 33 million residents of New Delhi, India, woke up to an ugly surprise. The city was covered in smog. Smog is a kind of air pollution. It creates a toxic fog.

In some parts of New Delhi, pollution levels were more than 50 times the recommended safe limit set by the World Health Organization. India’s government called the situation “severe plus.”

Schools closed to keep students safe. Most classes moved online. Construction projects stopped. Trucks were barred from entering the city. And authorities encouraged people to stay indoors.

Air pollution is a big problem in Northern India, where New Delhi is located. Much of it is produced by farmers burning their fields before planting new crops. That creates smoke, which blows into cities.

People in New Delhi are upset about the air quality. Sanjay Goel lives there. He told the Associated Press that “everyone has a sore throat.”

Stop and Think!

WHY did the writer include a quote from someone who lives in New Delhi? How does a local perspective inform readers?