Delhi-NCR Air Chokes As CAQM Enforces GRAP-IV; AQI Nears 500 Amid Dense Toxic Smog

The air quality of the national capital and surrounding areas continues to deteriorate on Sunday morning as CAQM has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR, areas like Anand Vihar, ITO area, as a thick layer of toxic smog blankets the city, with AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 491 and 485.

The air quality of the national capital and surrounding areas continues to deteriorate on Sunday morning as CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR, areas like Anand Vihar, ITO area, as a thick layer of toxic smog blankets the city, with AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 491 and 485.

The worsening pollution was evident from today's early morning, with dense smog mixed with fog engulfing the region. In several areas, visibility dropped to near zero, severely disrupting early-morning movement.

Sunday Morning Visual

On Saturday, CAQM has invoked Stage IV of GRAP as Delhi's AQI hits 446, nearing 'Severe Plus'.

According to the order released by CAQM, the AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 431 today at 4 PM on Saturday, exhibited an increasing trend and has been recorded as 446 at 6 PM on the date owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants.

"Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP - 'Severe+' Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of extant GRAP already in force in NCR," the order stated.