Delhi weather updates: Air quality remains 'severe', GRAP stage 3 curbs invoked amid cold weather

Man walking on the streets of Delhi amid concerning weather conditions. Pic/PTI

The conditions in the national capital do not seem to be improving as winter approaches. The air pollution on Wednesday in the national capital was recorded in the "severe" category for the second consecutive day.

Moreover, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading at 9 am in New Delhi stood at 414, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported news agency PTI.

Delhi witnessed the worst air quality this season on Tuesday, with the AQI plunging into the "severe" category at 423.

As reported by news agency PTI, the Central government invoked stricter anti-pollution measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the wake of the deteriorating air quality.

According to the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 to 100 "satisfactory", 101 to 200 "moderate", 201 to 300 "poor", 301 to 400 "very poor", and 401 to 500 "severe".

Delhi air quality since Diwali has consistently remained in the "poor" or "very poor" category, occasionally slipping into the "severe" zone, making the lives of the citizens a lot more worrisome.

Meanwhile, despite the worsening air quality across the national capital, the mercury has also significantly dropped in the last few weeks, making the weather a lot more chilly.

As reported by news agency PTI, the minimum temperature was recorded at 10.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 3.1 notches below the season's normal.

The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 27 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department. Moreover, the weather office has also forecasted shallow fog in the day, reported PTI.

As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

With the air quality in the national capital deteriorating sharply, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday further invoked the Stage-3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR), categorising Delhi's air quality as 'severe'.

Under Stage 3 of GRAP, several additional restrictions come into force, including a ban on construction and demolition activities, except for essential projects such as roads, railways, and airports.

(With inputs from PTI)