Quick reads
- Delhi’s city-average Air Quality Index hovered in the very poor–severe range today; multiple monitoring stations logged AQI above 400.
- Authorities had recently eased some GRAP limits, but pollution rose again as the weather turned stagnant.
- Main drivers: low wind, shallow boundary layer (cold, calm conditions) plus regional smoke and emissions.
- Vulnerable groups, children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity.
When
Pollution climbed through late November, with readings spiking over the past 24–48 hours; today, several stations showed AQI values breaching the 400 mark, pushing those local pockets into the ‘severe’ category.
Where
Worsening readings were recorded across Delhi and parts of NCR. Several local monitoring stations reported AQI above 400 while the citywide average stayed in the high 300s. The worst-affected pockets are the usual hotspots in east and north Delhi and adjacent NCR towns.
How
A mix of weather and emissions: calm winds and a shallow atmospheric boundary layer trapped pollutants; regional sources, including vehicle emissions, local combustion and smoke drifting in from nearby areas raised PM2.5 and PM10 levels. Recent easing of some GRAP (graded response) measures also coincided with the deterioration, though authorities say stricter actions are reintroduced only if averages cross established thresholds.
Story in short
Delhi woke up to a thick, hazy blanket today as air quality slipped deeper into unhealthy ranges. The citywide average AQI was in the high 300s while several stations crossed 400, a level classed as severe and harmful even for healthy people. Calm weather, low wind speeds, and cold nights that prevent vertical mixing, combined with local emissions and regional smoke to push PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations up. Authorities had eased some GRAP restrictions recently, but officials say full Stage-III measures will be reimposed only if the AQI sustains levels above the regulatory trigger. Health departments have urged vulnerable groups to avoid outdoor exertion and recommended masks and air purifiers where possible. Short-term fixes such as traffic and construction curbs help, but experts stress the need for coordinated regional action to prevent recurring spikes.
