Authorities imposed the strictest emergency measures across Delhi and neighboring cities on Saturday as air pollution worsened sharply, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surging into the “severe plus” category.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) first enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the AQI reached 401 in the morning. As conditions continued to deteriorate, Stage IV was implemented later in the day, bringing all GRAP stages into effect. By 9 pm, the AQI had climbed to 455.
The emergency measures include traffic restrictions, work-from-home directives, limits on school activities, and a ban on construction work. CAQM said the worsening air quality was driven by slow wind speeds, unfavorable weather conditions, and poor dispersal of pollutants.
Officials said Stage IV measures were imposed to prevent further deterioration in air quality across the region.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) first enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the AQI reached 401 in the morning. As conditions continued to deteriorate, Stage IV was implemented later in the day, bringing all GRAP stages into effect. By 9 pm, the AQI had climbed to 455.
The emergency measures include traffic restrictions, work-from-home directives, limits on school activities, and a ban on construction work. CAQM said the worsening air quality was driven by slow wind speeds, unfavorable weather conditions, and poor dispersal of pollutants.
Officials said Stage IV measures were imposed to prevent further deterioration in air quality across the region.
