Delhi Weather, AQI & Air Pollution Today Live: Delhi, Gurugram to allow WFH

Delhi Environment Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday that government offices in Delhi will switch to work-from-home for 50 per cent of the employees as a measure to curb pollution in the national capital.Taking to his official handle on X, Gopal Rai posted, “To reduce pollution, Delhi government decided to work from home in government offices. 50 per cent employees will work from home.”The Delhi Minister also said that a meeting will be held with concerned officials for the implementation of the measure today in the Secretariat. - ANI

CSS Forum urged the Secretary Department of Personnel and Training to implement flexible working arrangements such as work-from-home or staggered office timings during periods of severe pollution.Read the full report here.

Most of India’s coal-burning plants are set to again fall short of a major pollution target, adding to the deadly smog that’s enveloped large parts of the country.

About three-quarters of the coal-fired generators near major cities are set to miss a year-end deadline to install equipment to curb sulfur-dioxide emissions, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified as the information isn’t public. - Bloomberg

Delhi air quality dips back into ‘severe’ category; smog reduces visibility as AQI touches low levels - ANI

Delhi witnessed yet another dawn with a blanket of toxic air on Wednesday, as the capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 426 in the “severe” category, which followed the coldest night of the season in the city so far.

The city’s minimum temperature dropped to 11.1 degrees Celsius Tuesday night, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The drop in temperature combined with dense fog has blanketed the city, reducing visibility to 500 metres as of 8.30 am. The IMD has forecast dense fog to persist throughout the day.

Humidity levels stood at 84 per cent in the morning. The maximum temperature for the day is expected to settle at 25 degrees Celsius.

Delhi had an AQI reading of 426 at 9 am on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI of 400 or higher is classified as “severe,” posing health risks to healthy individuals and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Half of the staff of Delhi government offices will work from home in view of the pollution levels in the city, Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday.

In a post on X, Rai said that 50 per cent of the staff in government offices will work from home. Implementation of the provision will be discussed in a meeting with the officers later in the day, he said.

Earlier, the government announced staggered office timings for its offices and the MCD.

The timings of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices were fixed from 8.30 am to 5 pm, while that of Delhi government offices were 10 am to 6.30 pm.

After the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under ‘Severe+’ (above 450 AQI) in Delhi and adjoining areas, the air quality index (AQI) improved in the morning to 424 which falls under ‘severe’ category (400-450 AQI) at 9 AM Wednesday. The AQI was 452 at 9 pm on Tuesday.

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Delhi Police conducted vehicle checks on Tuesday night to ensure the proper implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).GRAP Stage IV enforces a ban on the operation of Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-operated medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), except those engaged in essential services.Stage IV of GRAP has been in effect since 8:00 AM on November 18, in response to deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.

The district administration on Tuesday directed private sector companies in Gurugram to allow work-from-home to half of their staff in view of the high level of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar in his order issued under GRAP-4, has said that private and corporate sector companies should allow work from home to 50 per cent of their staff from November 20.

Issuing the advisory in compliance with the instructions from the Air Quality Management Commission, Kumar said that continuous efforts are being made by the district administration to reduce pollution.

All types of construction activities have been stopped and garbage burning has been banned.

Delhi’s worsening air quality has led to sharp decline in market footfall, significantly impacting businesses’, according to several trader associations.

Rakesh Yadav, president of the Sadar Bazar Trades Association, said that there is a 15 percent decline in footfall in the Sadar market compared to usual days.

“There’s a noticeable decrease in the number of people visiting Sadar Bazar, especially customers from other states who typically come for wholesale shopping. Many are now placing orders online instead of travelling here due to the severe air pollution,” Yadav said.

Similarly, Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders Association, said that there has been a sharp drop of 60 percent in footfall since the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Delhi government on Tuesday directed all its hospitals to constitute teams of specialists to tackle patients with respiratory ailments due to the severe air pollution, officials said.

The Delhi Health Department also asked the hospitals to monitor and report daily cases of respiratory ailments, including both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) cases, and to promptly flag any unusual increase in the number of cases, it said.

The daily reports are to be shared with Dr. Govind Mawari, Senior Scientist at the Centre for Occupational & Environmental Health (COEH).

The advisory mandates that hospitals designate specialists to address respiratory diseases and ensure comprehensive care for affected patients.

As authorities in the Delhi-NCR impose restrictions to combat the worsening air quality in the region, the brunt of the anti-pollution measures is being faced by daily wage workers involved in construction activities whose lives have to a standstill.

Workers who depend on daily earnings to survive said they are worried their children will starve to death.

Construction and demolition activities (C&D) are banned under the current GRAP-IV measures that came into effect after many parts of Delhi reported “severe-plus” air quality (Air Quality Index above 450).

Suman, a 45-year-old mother of two, says “If we sit at home, what will we eat? What will we feed our children?” She recently renewed her labour card with the hope of receiving government aid but she says it has been a futile exercise. “We don’t have government jobs where salaries come automatically. We survive on daily earnings, and without work, we have nothing,” she adds.

A thick grey haze engulfed the national capital on Tuesday, with AQI soaring to 488. Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the ‘severe plus’ category on Sunday, prompting authorities to impose Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Monday.

These measures include a ban on construction and demolition activities, restrictions on truck entries except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel, and the closure of schools. Offices have also been directed to effect changes for their employees.

For Babu Ram, a 63-year-old construction worker, the ban on C&D activities has exacerbated an already dire financial situation. He has a wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchild to support, besides having to deal with a debt of Rs 3 lakh.

“There’s no pension for people like me. Schemes like Ladli Behna are riddled with corruption, middlemen take everything and we get nothing,” he says. “If I can’t work, my family won’t survive.” Similarly, Rajesh Kumar, a 42-year-old labourer, says his family in his village in Bihar depends on the money he sends home.

“I have not married yet because I have several responsibilities, including my sister’s wedding, which has left me with a debt of Rs 6 lakh,” he says.

“This happens every year, pollution cripples Delhi, but instead of solving the problem, the government creates more hurdles for people like us,” he adds.

All schools in UP’s NCR districts go online for classes as air pollution increases

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai urges Centre to give its approval for use of artificial rain to help clear the smog. - PTI

Credit: PTI

Credit: ANI

Credit: PTI

Credit: ANI

In Haryana, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, announced that all physical classes up to the 12th standard in Gurugram district will remain suspended from November 19 to November 23, 2024, or until further notice, as per directives from the Director of Secondary Education Haryana and after assessing the Air Quality Index (AQI) situation.

Following Jawaharlal Nehru University’s decision to conduct classes online due to severe pollution and the worsening Air Quality Index in Delhi and the National Capital Region, Jamia Millia Islamia has also decided to shift to online classes until Saturday, November 23.In an official notification on Tuesday, the university stated that “classes shall be conducted in online mode till Saturday, November 23, 2024, with regular classes in physical mode to resume from Monday, November 25.”However, Jamia Millia Islamia clarified that the schedules for examinations and interviews will remain unchanged.

A decision on implementing work-from-home measures and the odd-even scheme will be taken soon to tackle the city’s worsening air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said the Centre has not acted on the Delhi government’s repeated requests to allow artificial rain in the national capital and he will again write to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday declined the request of some senior lawyers asking for complete virtual functioning of courts and emphasized the importance of hybrid hearings in courts, allowing lawyers to appear online while also maintaining physical court proceedings - ANI

GRAP should be implemented across North India; rules being violated in BJP-led states: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai - PTI

Dr B R Ambedkar University shifts to online classes amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi - ANI

“It is PM’s his moral responsibility to act.; Centre should take steps to control pollution. If Central govt can’t act, their minister should resign,” says Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai. - PTI

Will again ask Union Environment Minister to call emergency meeting on pollution, allow artificial rain: Delhi minister Rai. He also says “BJP’s environment minister sleeping over Delhi government’s repeated request to call emergency meet over dire pollution situation.” - PTI

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With Delhi’s air quality once again on hazardous levels, health and climate experts have termed the situation a “public health emergency”, while calling for phasing out of fossil fuels and adopting clean energy solutions.

The capital’s air quality index (AQI) has remained in the “severe” category for days, with PM2.5 concentrations surging past 400 mg/m3 -- far beyond the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit of 15 mg/m3 for 24-hour exposure. - ANI

Fog clouds Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana; air quality deteriorates and reduces visibility - ANI

Calm winds and dropping temperatures made the dispersion of pollutants difficult. Cold air traps dust and smoke from stubble burning in neighbouring areas of Delhi.

The city recorded its coldest night of the season so far on Monday with the mercury dropping to 12.3 degrees Celsius from 16.2 degrees Celsius the night before, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). - PTI

The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi touched a peak of 491 in Delhi on Monday, forcing the government to introduce restrictions on vehicle movement and construction activities, and schools to conduct classes online.Read the report.

We have asked all judges to allow virtual hearings wherever possible, says CJI Sanjiv Khanna.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the central government over the severe air pollution in the national capital and said that Delhi is the most polluted city in the world, making it nearly uninhabitable from November to January and barely liveable throughout the rest of the year.Shashi Tharoor claimed that it was “unconscionable” that the government had witnessed the ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi for years without taking adequate action.Sharing a list of ‘Most Polluted Cities’ in their ranking, Shashi Tharoor posted on X, “Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x Hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka. It is unconscionable that our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it.”“I have run an Air Quality Round Table for experts and stakeholders, including MPs, since 2015 but gave up last year because nothing seemed to change and no one seemed to care. This city is essentially uninhabitable from November to January inclusive and barely liveable the rest of the year. Should it even remain the nation’s capital?” said Tharoor.

Punjab recorded its highest single-day count of stubble-burning incidents this season, with 1,251 farm fires reported on Monday.According to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), this has raised the total number of such cases in the state to 9,655.The surge underscores the ongoing challenge of stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution in northern India. Monday’s figures have surpassed the daily tallies of the past three years, with 701 incidents reported on the same day in 2022 and 637 in 2023.

Delhi University would shift to online classes till November 23 and the Jawaharlal Nehru University till November 22, the varsities announced amid worsening air quality levels in the city.

The decision comes as the air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) reached “alarmingly high” levels, prompting concerns about health and safety. At 4 pm, Delhi’s AQI was 494.

Delhi University in a notification said regular classes in “physical mode” will resume on November 25.

JNU, in its statement, said it would conduct all classes online till November 22.

The schedule of exams and interviews, however, remains unchanged, the universities said.

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Amid worsening air quality in the national capital, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to conduct classes online until November 22, citing severe pollution and hazardous AQI levels in Delhi and the NCR.

In Haryana, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, announced that, as per directives from the Director of Secondary Education Haryana and after assessing the Air Quality Index (AQI) situation, all physical classes up to the 12th standard in Gurugram district will remain suspended from November 19 to November 23, 2024, or until further notice. - ANI

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. - Bloomberg

Delhi’s hazardous air quality was a key focus at COP29, as experts warned about the health risks of air pollution and called for immediate global action.

Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, sais that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had reached dangerous levels, with some areas recording particulate pollution above 1,000 microgram per cubic metre. “Pollution comes from many sources like black carbon, ozone, burning fossil fuels, and farm fires. We need solutions that tackle all of these,” she said.

Khosla also explained that low wind speeds during the La Niña weather pattern are trapping pollutants in the air, making the situation worse. “While we discuss major global issues, millions of people’s health is at risk. We must act fast,” she said.

Courtney Howard, Vice-Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, shared her experience from Canada, where wildfires forced the evacuation of 70 per cent of her population in 2023. “This was expensive, even for a rich country like ours. Poorer nations need financial help to deal with such disasters,” she said. - PTI

With air pollution levels escalating to alarming levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region, the sale of air purifiers and masks have surged significantly, according to traders in the city.

Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the ‘severe plus’ category on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 484 — its worst reading this season, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As Delhiites struggles to breathe, traders said the demand for air purifiers and masks have increased as many residents see the equipment as a necessity to safeguard their health.

Vijendra Mohan, the owner of Air Expert India, a dealership in Indirapuram, said their air purifier sales have witnessed a significant increase after air pollution breached the ‘severe’ level.

“Earlier, we used to sell around 20 purifiers a day, sometimes even over two days. Now, the numbers have doubled to 40 per day. Air purifiers have become essential for households, and I am receiving over 150 inquiries daily,” he said.

Rakesh Singh, who runs a Blueair air purifier dealership in Pushp Vihar, said, “Last month, I was selling 10 to 12 air purifiers a day. Now, sales have increased to 25 units daily,” he noted, adding that the spike in demand has been consistent over the past few weeks.

Ravi Kaushik, the owner of Airth Air Purifier Company in Vikaspuri, said he has recorded a 70 per cent jump in sales since late October.

Punjab on Monday reported 1,251 fresh farm fire cases, the single-day highest this season, taking the state’s total count of such cases to 9,655, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data showed.

On November 8, Punjab reported 730 farm fire incidents, which was the highest in a day this season till Monday.

Muktsar district on Monday reported 247 stubble burning incidents, the most in the state, followed by Moga (149), Ferozepur (130), Bathinda (129), Fazilka (94) and Faridkot (88), the data showed.

On the same day in 2022 and 2023, the state reported 701 and 637 active firm fire cases, respectively, as per the data.

From September 15 till November 18, Punjab witnessed 9,655 stubble burning incidents, registering around 71 per cent dip in crop residue burnings in comparison to the figures reported in the corresponding period of the previous year.

A total of 15 flights were diverted and over 100 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Monday as bad weather conditions in the national capital resulted in poor visibility impacting aircraft operations, according to an official.

Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo informed passengers through X that flights may be affected due to poor visibility conditions in the national capital, which is also grappling with high pollution levels.

Of the 15 flights, 13 were diverted to Jaipur and 1 each to Dehradun and Lucknow, the official said and added that the diversions happened between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm.

Some of the pilots were not trained for CAT III operations due to which flights had to be diverted.

Broadly, CAT III trained pilots are allowed to take off or land planes at very low visibility conditions.

The official also said that more than 100 flights were delayed at the airport due to the bad weather conditions.

Smog can only be cleared by artificial rain or wind; Centre yet to act on Delhi govt’s request on it: Environment Minister Gopal Rai.

Amid worsening air quality, central government staff body seeks WFH, staggered working hours - PTI

14 flights diverted, many delayed due to bad weather - PTI

Toxic haze envelops Delhi, doctors warn of health risks for all - PTI

SC asks Delhi-NCR states to take call on conducting physical classes up to class 12 in view of alarming pollution level - PTI

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.