Page 29 - Latest Updates on Delhi air quality

Severe air pollution in Delhi as AQI hits 442; toxic haze blankets city

The air quality is expected to remain in the severe range on Thursday

Delhi is breathing 'severe plus' air quality again, Grap-IV reimposed

The air quality in Delhi deteriorates to 'severe plus'; strict measures under Grap Stage IV enforced to curb pollution

Air quality panel invokes Grap 4 in Delhi as air quality turns 'severe'

The Centre's air quality panel for Delhi-NCR on Monday invoked stringent measures under Stage 4 of the air pollution control plan as the region's air quality turned "severe" due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, according to an official order. The curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for winters include a ban on all construction and demolition activities, including public projects such as highways and flyovers, and on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential goods into Delhi. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index, which was 379 at 4 pm, breached the 400 mark around 10 pm amid extremely calm winds and "buildup of an inversion layer adversely affecting the vertical mixing height". Vertical mixing height is the height above the surface throughout which a pollutant can be dispersed.

Education dept orders Delhi schools to hold classes upto V in hybrid mode

In view of the implementation of restrictive measures under GRAP III, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) on Monday directed all school administrations to conduct classes for students up to Class V in hybrid mode. In a circular, the DoE stated, "All heads of government, government-aided, unaided recognised private schools of DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes for students up to Class V in a 'hybrid mode,' wherever online learning is feasible, with immediate effect until further orders." The Delhi's air quality deteriorated, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 379 on Monday, placing it in the "very poor" category. This marks a sharp rise from Sunday's reading of 294 in the "poor" category. Under Stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan measures, restrictions now include a ban on petrol vehicles that do not meet BS-III emission standards and diesel vehicles that fail to comply with BS-IV norms from entering the city. Previous

Grap-III measures reimposed in Delhi-NCR as air quality hits 'very poor'

The CAQM reimposes Grap-III in Delhi-NCR as AQI hits 355. Construction halted and diesel trucks banned; SC calls for pan-India air pollution action plan

Delhi-NCR shivers at 4.5 degrees Celsius; AQI slips to 'very poor' levels

Delhi cold wave: The IMD predicts that the cold wave may strengthen in the coming days, with shallow fog expected across various parts of Delhi-NCR

Delhi's air quality is 'very poor' again, no immediate improvement expected

This sharp decline in air quality is attributed to low wind speeds, vehicle emissions, falling temperatures, and stubble burning

Delhi's minimum temperature drops to 4.9 degrees C, air quality 'poor'

The minimum temperature dropped to 4.9 degrees Celsius in Delhi on Sunday, though cold wave conditions did not prevail, according to the weather department. No cold wave conditions prevailed, as per the data, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The minimum temperature in Delhi dropped to 4.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 3.1 notches below the normal nighttime temperature. Earlier on Saturday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 0.2 notches below normal, the IMD said, adding that humidity levels ranged between 91 per cent and 45 per cent. The IMD has forecast moderate fog for Monday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to remain at 23 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius, respectively. Meanwhile, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the 'poor' category, with a reading of 294 at 4 pm. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 1

Double trouble for Delhi: Temperature drops, AQI stays in 'poor' range

Cold wave provides no relief as homeless in Delhi seek shelter and warmth; AQI remains in the 'poor' category

Centre revises air pollution control plan for Delhi-NCR, tightens curbs

The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR air quality has issued a revised plan to tackle winter pollution, asking states to implement stricter measures when the air quality deteriorates and making it mandatory for schools to shift to hybrid learning on days with severe air pollution. Poor air quality, driven by unfavourable weather conditions, usually persists for long periods during winter, from November to January. During this time, Delhi frequently enforces restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorises air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor) with AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450. According to the revised plan, inter-state buses from NCR states, except those EVs and those running CNG or BS-VI diesel, will not be allowed to enter Delhi under Stage II. This provision earlier came into effect under Stage III. Resident welfare associations

Delhi AQI continues to remain 'poor'; residents relieved as cold wave eases

Cold wave eases in Delhi after temperatures dropped to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, moderate to poor AQI in city

AQI at 275: Delhi's air quality deteriorates, commission faces criticism

The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts Delhi's air quality will remain in the 'poor' category for the next two to three days

Delhi records coldest December morning in 3 yrs as temp drops to 4.5C

The city recorded its coldest December day in the last three years on Thursday as the minimum temperature dropped to 4.5 degrees Celsius. The forecast predicts cold wave conditions to persist at isolated places until the weekend. The city recorded a low of 4.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 0.4 degrees below normal, compared to 4.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The temperature had dropped sharply from 5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. According to data, the minimum temperature did not drop below 4.9 degrees Celsius in December 2023 and 2022. The lowest minimum temperature recorded in December last year was 4.9 degrees Celsius on the 15th, while the lowest in 2022 was 5 degrees Celsius on the 26th. Cold wave conditions were observed at isolated places in Delhi, including Ayanagar and Pusa, where the temperatures dropped to 3.8 and 3.2 degrees Celsius respectively. According to the India Meteorological Department, cold wave conditions oc

Drone mist-spraying pilot project in hitch for high costs, limited results

A pilot project that involves the use of drones to spray mist at pollution hotspots has not been approved over the high cost and lack of measurable results, an official has said. The technology was proposed as part of Delhi's 21-point Winter Action Plan to combat worsening air quality. Officials have deemed the project costly and ineffective, stating it has failed to deliver significant, measurable improvements. "The technology is extremely expensive and does not provide noticeable advancements compared to existing methods, which are already yielding better results at a fraction of the cost," an official involved in the evaluation told PTI. On November 8, a demonstration of the project was conducted at Anand Vihar, one of Delhi's most polluted areas. During the demonstration, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai highlighted challenges posed by hotspots, such as narrow roads or congested areas where traditional modes of transport, such as trucks, cannot reach. "Pollution levels in

Delhi's air quality deteriorates amid cold wave; likely to remain 'poor'

Delhi's AQI dipped despite persisting winds of 8-10 kmph on Wednesday evening due to 'cold wave' conditions

Pollution levels drop across India; only 3 cities report 'very poor' AQI

Delhi's air quality witnessed a remarkable turnaround over the weekend, driven by fast winds and light rainfall, resulting in one of the cleanest starts to December in years

Delhi air quality improves a bit; AQI drops to 207, some areas 'moderate'

Improved air quality in Delhi as AQI drops to 207; Lodhi Road, Pusa among areas recording 'moderate' levels

204 projects face actions, 35 get closure notice for violating Grap norms

A total of 260 sites were flagged for dust violations, 204 faced Environmental Clearance action, and 35 received closure orders under the Graded Response Action Plan to combat Delhi's hazardous air quality, officials said on Tuesday. Authorities took action against 775 illegal dumping sites, sealed 259 diesel generators, and addressed more than 24,000 complaints during the peak implementation period, they said. In their ongoing efforts to combat severe pollution levels, Delhi's environmental bodies have enforced stringent measures under various stages of the GRAP. According to official data, in the construction and demolition (C&D) sector, 6,741 sites (=500 sqm) were inspected for compliance with dust mitigation norms, of which 260 were found non-compliant and flagged. Environmental Clearance was imposed on 204 projects (=500 sqm), while 35 projects were issued closure orders, officials said. Additionally, 974 inspections were carried out to identify illegal dumping sites, ...

Delhi's 'poor' air quality shows no improvement, AQI recorded at 224

Delhi's AQI continued to be in the 'poor' category, even as some areas in the city showed improved air quality

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