New Delhi: Residents woke up this morning to a dense layer of smog combined with a noticeable chill in the air. Unfortunately, there was little good news on the air quality front. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) described the intense early-morning smog as an “episodic event” and expressed hope that the situation might improve. However, given the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, the CAQM has decided to implement Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These stricter anti-pollution measures will come into effect from 8 AM today."In an effort to prevent further deterioration of the air quality, the SubCommittee decided that ALL actions as envisaged under Stage III of the GRAP -'Severe' Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-4501 be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in the NCR, in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in force, from 8:OO A.M. of 15th November, 2024 in the National Capital Region (NCR)," the statement read.The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality -- Stage 1 for "poor" Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for "very poor" AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for "severe" AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for "severe plus" AQI (more than 450).

Region-Wise Delhi AQIAs per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research, overall AQI of Delhi stood in 'Severe' category as of 6:30 am on Friday. 1. Anand ViharAQI: Severe (441) 2. Ashok ViharAQI: Severe (440) 3. BawanaAQI: Severe (455) 4. DTUAQI: Very Poor (395) 5. Dwarka-Sector 8AQI: Severe (444) 6. IGI AirportAQI: Severe (446) 7. ITOAQI: Very Poor (358) 8. RK PuramAQI: Severe (437) Schools Closure Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that the primary schools will shift to online classes in view of the rising pollution levels. "Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions," CM Atishi said in a post on X on Thursday. IMD's AlertAs per India Meteorological Department forecast, the capital is under a 'Yellow alert' predicting moderate to dense fog at few places and shallow to moderate fog likely in evening or night on Friday.