Delhi braces for severe air, GRAP-III curbs amid cold wave
Delhi braces for severe air, GRAP-III curbs amid cold wave
Delhi endures a bitter cold wave with near-zero visibility and an AQI in the very poor range as GRAP-III restrictions kick in to curb pollution.
Delhi is shivering under an intense cold wave, with the minimum temperature hovering around 4.4°C yet again as dense fog blankets the capital. Visibility has dropped to near zero across large parts of the city, complicating travel and daily routines. The air quality index stands at 368, firmly in the very poor category, raising health concerns for residents dealing with chilly mornings and polluted skies.
At city weather stations, minimum temperatures recorded include Safdarjung at 4.4°C, Palam at 5.7°C, Lodi Road at 5.2°C, Ridge at 5.2°C, and Ayanagar at 4.9°C. Dense fog has also led to flight delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport, with passengers advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Forecasts from the Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System warned of deteriorating conditions, with severe air quality expected to approach on Sunday. In response, authorities reimposed GRAP-III restrictions across Delhi-NCR. Non-essential construction, demolition, and mining activities have been halted. Vehicular curbs target older diesel and petrol models, while essential services and critical projects remain exempted. Schools are expected to adopt hybrid learning arrangements as part of the new measures.
Officials say the intention is to curb pollution levels while the city copes with the cold spell. The GRAP-III restrictions come amid ongoing concerns about monthly pollution trends and fog that traps pollutants near ground level, exacerbating health risks for vulnerable groups.
The forecast suggests a possible brief relief as minimum temperatures could rise to around 9°C on Monday, before dipping again in the days that follow. Nevertheless, the cold wave is unlikely to reach the severity seen earlier in the month. Residents are urged to minimize outdoor activity, wear masks in outdoor conditions, and monitor air quality updates. Travelers should plan for possible delays and check advisories from airlines.
As Delhi confronts both chill and pollution, officials say daily reviews will continue and further actions may be taken if air quality worsens.
