Delhi Weather, Air Quality, Pollution Live: Pollution soars more than 17 Times over safe levels

Delhi recorded air pollution more than 17 times above an acceptable level as worsening smog triggered curbs on trucking and shuttered construction sites and schools. 

The city’s air quality index score touched 1743 at 12:30 p.m. local time Monday, according to IQAir, which collects global pollution data. A level below 101 is considered acceptable, and scores above 300 are regarded as hazardous.

Most trucks were restricted from entering the city, aside from those carrying essential commodities and some less polluting models, after the Commission for Air Quality Management responded to the smog late Sunday with a series of emergency measures.

Officials halted construction activities, including on highways, telecommunications and power transmission, ordered some schools to shift to online learning and encouraged public services to have half employees work from home. 

Meeting called for implementation of GRAP IV rescheduled, Gopal Rai accuses officials of negligency - PTI

Delhi airport: 11 flights diverted, many delayed due to bad weather - PTI

An AQI of 400 or higher is deemed ‘severe,’ and if it exceeds 450, it falls in the ‘severe plus’ category. In 2017, the Centre rolled out the GRAP restrictions for Delhi and its adjoining areas.

It classifies air quality into four stages: Stage 1 - ‘poor’ (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 - ‘very poor’ (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 - ‘severe’ (AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 - ‘severe plus’ (AQI above 450).

IMD has predicted clear skies for Monday and Tuesday over Delhi NCR. The predominant surface wind is likely to come from the northwest direction with a speed of less than 6 kmph during the morning hours on Monday. It also mentioned that smog/moderate to dense fog is likely in the morning, and wind speed will increase thereafter but will still be less than 10 kmph from the northwest direction during the afternoon. It will decrease again, becoming less than 8 kmph from the northwest direction during the evening and night. Dense to very dense fog is likely in the evening/night on Monday.

There was dense toxic smog on Monday morning, which caused visibility to drop sharply in the morning, leading to reduced visibility at airports and other places. The India Meteorological Department said that the visibility at IGI airport was 100 metres at 7.30 am, and in many other places like Chandigarh, Gwalior, and Pathankot, it was 200 metres or less.

The CAQM announcement on GRAP IV came on Sunday evening after Delhi’s daily average AQI rose to 457 at 7 pm, up from 441 at 4 pm.

Delhi’s AQI nears 500; stubble burning, smog worsen air quality. A day after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under ‘Severe+’ air quality in Delhi and adjoining areas to prevent further deterioration of air quality, the AQI further worsened to 487 at 11 am on Monday. Several pollution control measures, including shifting of classes in schools to online mode and a ban on truck entry, came into force from 8 am on Monday.

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Delhi airport: 9 flights diverted due to bad weather - PTI

Toxic smog in Indian capital more than 60 times WHO limit, says AFP report citing IQAir pollution monitor.

North India facing medical emergency due to hazardous air quality caused by stubble burning: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.

SC questions Delhi govt over delay in implementation of stage 4 of GRAP in national capital despite alarming rise in pollution. Top court also asks Delhi government about steps taken to curb rising pollution level in the national capital.- PTI

Bad weather: 5 flights diverted at Delhi airport - PTIRead full report.

Farm fires - where stubble left after harvesting rice is burnt to clear fields - have contributed as much as 40% of the pollution in Delhi, SAFAR, a weather forecasting agency under the ministry of earth sciences has said. - Reuters

Physical classes discontinued for Delhi students. Classes to go online till further orders, other than for classes 10 and 12 - ANI

In Agra, a thick layer of haze engulfed the Taj Mahal amid the rise in air pollution levels. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in Agra remains in the ‘Poor’ category. 

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a notice, “Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.” - ANI

The air quality worsened in Delhi on Monday morning and a thick blanket of smog engulfed several parts. The air quality level plunged to ‘severe plus’ levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index recorded at 7 am was 483 in the national capital.

A toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj, as residents complained of difficulty in breathing and irritation in the eyes. - ANI.Read the full report here.