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45m ago

Delhi Air Stuck in 'Very Poor' as Hotspots Hit 'Severe' Under Stage III Curbs

Forecasts point to a return to 'severe' early next week.

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With air quality in Delhi depleting, CAQM has already implemented Stage III of the GRAP across the National Capital Region.
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Pedestrians walk along a road engulfed in thick smog in Lahore on November 11, 2024. Lahore, a city of 14 million people stuffed with factories on the border with India, regularly ranks among the world's most polluted cities, but it has hit record levels this month. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) (Photo by ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stayed around 386–389 in the ‘very poor’ band, while multiple stations logged ‘severe’ readings above 400, including Wazirpur near 447 and Siri Fort up to 495.
  • Official data show PM10 and PM2.5 dominate, with vehicular emissions contributing about 18–20% of PM2.5 and farm-fire smoke estimated near 8.5% Friday, rising toward 14–16% over the weekend.
  • Meteorologists said faster winds briefly improved air on Friday, but calm conditions and falling temperatures returned, with the minimum dipping to about 9.7–10.2°C and visibility reduced by haze.
  • IITM/AQEWS projects ‘very poor’ conditions to persist and a likely slide back to ‘severe’ between November 17 and 18 as dispersion weakens and regional smoke influence increases.
  • CAQM’s GRAP Stage III remains in force across NCR, with curbs on non-essential construction, tighter vehicle restrictions and hybrid mode for classes up to grade 5, as Delhi identifies 62 dust and traffic hotspots driving PM10.