📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ruturajpol
Weather
Delhi-NCR's Air Quality Plummets as AQI Surpasses 400 Ahead of Diwali
✍️ Aaj Tak
🗓 07 Nov 2026, 08:26 AM
👁 12
Air quality in Delhi-NCR has deteriorated sharply, with AQI readings topping 400 despite the implementation of GRAP‑3, and officials warn pollution could worsen.
The capital region is grappling with a severe smog episode just days before Diwali, as monitoring stations across Delhi-NCR report Air Quality Index (AQI) levels exceeding 400, a range classified as hazardous. Residents in several localities have reported difficulty breathing and reduced visibility due to the dense haze.
In response, the government activated the Graded Response Action Plan – Phase 3 (GRAP‑3) earlier this week, imposing restrictions such as halting construction activities, limiting vehicular movement, and suspending the operation of certain industrial units. However, the measures have not yielded the expected improvement, with AQI values remaining alarmingly high.
The India Meteorological Department cautions that stagnant weather conditions and low wind speeds are likely to persist, potentially pushing pollution levels even higher in the coming days. Health officials have urged vulnerable groups, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments, to stay indoors, use N‑95 masks, and limit outdoor exposure.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have indicated that additional emergency actions may be considered if air quality does not improve before the festive period.
In response, the government activated the Graded Response Action Plan – Phase 3 (GRAP‑3) earlier this week, imposing restrictions such as halting construction activities, limiting vehicular movement, and suspending the operation of certain industrial units. However, the measures have not yielded the expected improvement, with AQI values remaining alarmingly high.
The India Meteorological Department cautions that stagnant weather conditions and low wind speeds are likely to persist, potentially pushing pollution levels even higher in the coming days. Health officials have urged vulnerable groups, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments, to stay indoors, use N‑95 masks, and limit outdoor exposure.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have indicated that additional emergency actions may be considered if air quality does not improve before the festive period.