Air quality sinks to 'severe' in haze-shrouded New Delhi

A thick gray haze blanketed India's capital on Tuesday, with authorities attempting to reduce the pollution by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction.

The air quality index exceeded 400, considered "severe" and about eight times the recommended maximum, according to the state-run Central Pollution Control Board.

Buildings and monuments in New Delhi were largely obscured by the haze and residents complained of health effects.

Tourists wear masks to save themselves from pollution as they cross a road in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. A thick haze of polluted air is hanging over India's capital, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction. The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)

"We can't breathe properly. My eyes are burning," said Urmila Devi, who lives in Ghaziabad, one of the capital's most polluted areas.

Favorable winds had briefly halved the level of pollutants, but winds blowing from the northwest carried air-borne particles from burning crops in Punjab and Haryana states to New Delhi, leading again to high levels of pollution, according to the government's air quality monitoring system, SAFAR.

Air pollution in northern India peaks in the winter due to smoke from agricultural fires. Farmers say they are unfairly criticized and have no choice but to burn stubble to prepare their fields for the next crop.

Tourists wear mask to save themselves from pollution as they cross a road amidst thick layer of smog in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. A thick haze of polluted air is hanging over India's capital, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction. The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)

The smoke from fields mixes with vehicle emissions and construction dust, making New Delhi the world's most-polluted capital.

Rising pollution levels have also irked foreign visitors, with some saying they plan to cut short their trips because of health concerns.

"We are in the capital of India. The government should put more effort into tackling this problem," said Rijil Odamvalappil of Abu Dhabi, who was visiting New Delhi with his wife.

Commuters wear pollution masks and ride in a bus as the city is enveloped under thick smog in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. A thick haze of polluted air is hanging over India's capital, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction. The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)

Some residents say the pollution is so bad that it should be the most important issue for the government.

Pollution controls have been imposed, such as sprinkling water from high-rises and banning some construction to settle or avoid dust, but the capital's poor air quality has continued amid calls for the government to do more to address the root causes.

Restrictions on private vehicles meant to reduce emissions were relaxed on Monday and Tuesday for the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.

Birds sit on street lights as city enveloped under thick smog in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. A thick haze of polluted air is hanging over India's capital, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction. The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)

Doctors in the city of 20 million people say many of their patients are complaining of ailments related to the filthy air they breathe.

New Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, has made fervent appeals on Twitter and in newspaper advertisements for residents to help tackle the pollution problem.

India's top court last week asked the city government, its neighboring states and the federal government to work together to improve air quality.

Foreign tourists wear masks to save themselves from pollution as they cross a road in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. A thick haze of polluted air is hanging over India's capital, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction. The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)

World Health Organization data released last year showed India had 10 of the world's 20 most polluted cities.

Civic workers sprinkle water to clear the dust on tress as the city is enveloped under thick smog in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. A thick haze of polluted air is hanging over India's capital, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some construction. The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)

DETROIT (AP) — The Oakland Athletics no longer have to wonder where they'll play the next few seasons. That won't make the long goodbye any easier.

The A's reacted to the announcement that this will be their last year in Oakland with a mixture of sadness and relief.

“At least as a player, you know where you’re headed,” outfielder Seth Brown said Friday before a game against the Tigers in Detroit. “There’s obviously a lot of moving parts, a lot of stuff we’re not privy to, so it’s just been kind of a waiting game on our end. Where are we going to go? Where are we going to be? So I think just having that knowledge -- at least we know where we’re going to be playing next year.”

Vivek Ranadivé, who owns the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, and Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher announced Thursday that the A’s will temporarily relocate to West Sacramento's Sutter Health Park for at least three seasons. The A's are moving to Las Vegas after a new ballpark is constructed.

The River Cats, who are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, will continue to play at the same facility.

Fisher was unable to reach an agreement with Oakland city officials on extending the lease at Oakland Coliseum, which expires at the end of this season. The A's have played in the city since 1968.

“There's direction now, which we've talked a lot about,” Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “We've got time to kind of reflect on what this really means from an organizational standpoint, the history that we've had in Oakland, with this being now the final season. There's a lot of emotion that goes behind this.”

It will not only cause some upheaval for the players and staff but also members of the organization that work behind the scenes.

“At the end of the day, we know where we're going to be for the next three seasons after the finish this year and that in itself gives a little bit of stability,” Kotsay said. “At the same time, in the present, it's challenging in certain ways to think about the finality of this organization in Oakland.”

Sacramento will be a much smaller environment to house a major league team. Ranadivé said the River Cats venue currently seats 16,000 when counting the stands, the lawn behind center field and standing room only.

First baseman Ryan Noda is concerned with the facilities. He's hopeful that significant upgrades will be made, much like the Toronto Blue Jays did at Buffalo's Triple-A facility. The Blue Jays played at Buffalo's Sahlen Field in 2020 in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“New walls, new dugouts, new locker rooms — everything they needed to become a big league stadium,” said Noda, who played some games in Sacramento as a minor leaguer. “As long as we can do something like that, then it'll be all right. But it's definitely going to be different than playing in stadiums that hold 40,000 people.”

Kotsay is confident the upgrades will occur.

“I know it will be of major league baseball quality,” he said. “It's has to be of major league baseball quality. I know the Players Association will make sure that takes place, as they did in Buffalo.”

For the rest of this season, the A's will have to deal with small home crowds and disappointed fans.

“We’re sad for the fans, the diehard fans, who always come to our games, always support us, always support the boys wearing the jersey,” Noda said.

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Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, center, shakes hands John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics, before the start of a news conference where Fisher announced his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4 2024.The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, announces that his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple A team Sacramento River Cats, is shown in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Oakland Athletics announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)