Delhi Weather: Cold, dense fog, haze grip national capital; AQI exceeds 480 in…, visibility drops to a low of…

The Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday night

Delhi Weather Update: Delhi residents were greeted by a bitterly cold winter morning, with temperatures plunging and air pollution levels reaching alarming heights. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 441, placing it in the “severe” category according to the Central Government’s Sameer app. Meanwhile, the mercury dropped to a chilly 5 degrees Celsius, with certain areas experiencing temperatures dipping below 4 degrees Celsius.

The Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday night with “immediate effect” in response to declining air quality. This decision came after Delhi’s AQI surpassed the 400 mark. Earlier on Monday night, the AQI was reported as 399 at 9 PM and crossed into the severe zone at 401 by 10 PM.

Delhi Weather: Cold, dense fog, and haze grip national capital; AQI exceeds 480 in…, visibility drops to a low of…

Earlier, GRAP-III restrictions had been re-imposed across the NCR after the AQI breached the 350 mark amid “highly unfavourable meteorological conditions” and “other factors affecting the dispersion of pollutants.”

As of 7 AM, the AQI in Anand Vihar, Burari, and Lajpat Nagar has exceeded 480. Out of the 37 monitoring stations across Delhi, 32 recorded AQI levels above 400.

#WATCH | Delhi: A thin layer of smog envelops the capital city as the AQI has been categorised as ‘severe’ according to the CPCB.

(Visuals from AIIMS, shot at 7:10 AM) pic.twitter.com/8fz3Gx8UjB

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2024

All schools have been directed to conduct classes for children up to Class V in a ‘hybrid mode.’

Following the reimposition of GRAP-III restrictions across the National Capital Region (NCR) amid “highly unfavourable meteorological conditions,” all schools have been directed to conduct classes for children up to Class V in a ‘hybrid mode.’  An official order from the Directorate of Education in Delhi stated, “The Sub-Committee for GRAP, in its meeting held on December 16, comprehensively reviewed the air quality scenario in the region and has decided that all actions envisaged under Stage-III of the latest GRAP schedule, as issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), be implemented with immediate effect by all agencies in the entire NCR.”

“In addition to the actions under Stages I and II of the revised GRAP schedule already in force, all Heads of Schools of Government, Government-aided, unaided recognised private schools under DoE, NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes for children up to Class V in a ‘hybrid mode,’ i.e., both in physical and online formats, with immediate effect until further orders,” the order further read.

Delhi pollution: Visibility drops to a low of…

At 5:30 AM, Delhi’s temperature stood at 8.4 degrees Celsius, and by 7 AM, visibility at IGI Airport dropped to 300 meters. However, at Safdarjung, visibility was as low as 50 meters. The stillness of the air has led to a sharp rise in pollution levels.

#WATCH | A layer of fog covered parts of Delhi as the minimum temperature dropped to 5°C, as per IMD.

GRAP stage IV measures have also been in effect in the entire NCR since December 16 after deterioration in air quality.

Morning visuals from Nehru Park pic.twitter.com/oXYN7kT97G

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2024

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe. The AQI levels for various areas are as follows: Greater Noida – 318, Ghaziabad – 386, Noida – 363, Gurugram – 391, and Faridabad – 265.