New Delhi:

A thick blanket of smog continued to envelop Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) for the second consecutive day, with the air quality remaining ‘severe’ on Saturday. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, the air quality index (AQI) breached the 400 mark.

The visibility across the national capital dropped between zero and 200, likely disrupting flight operations.

The Delhi Airport issued an advisory for passengers today morning saying, “Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.”

However, it added, “While landings and take-offs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”

Update issued at 06:00 hours.
Kind attention to all flyers!#DelhiAirport #FogAlert pic.twitter.com/oY6vMpch0t

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 11, 2025

At least 26 trains are running late today, officials said.

Over 100 flights were delayed at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Friday, while at least 30 trains were running late.

Visuals show the national capital covered in a blanket of smog.

#WATCH | Visibility reduced to zero as a blanket of dense fog witnessed in parts of Delhi-NCR

(Visuals from Subroto Park) pic.twitter.com/D2oxrkvaSZ

— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2025

#WATCH | A dense fog envelops parts of Delhi-NCR

(Visuals from Akshardham area) pic.twitter.com/QX2BGSNOoM

— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2025

Amid the worsening air quality, the Centre’s panel on Delhi-NCR’s air quality re-imposed Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under GRAP-3, private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles have been banned. According to the government, violators will face penalties under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, which translates to a fine of Rs 20,000.

Heavy rain likely today

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in Delhi over the weekend. According to the weather department, thunderstorms and lightning with dense fog will likely prevail over the national capital on Saturday and Sunday.

“Dense to very dense fog is likely at isolated places over east Uttar Pradesh, dense fog at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and west Uttar Pradesh,” it added.

New Delhi:

Delhi and its adjoining areas are covered in smog and air quality is still in the ‘very poor’ category. The fourth stage of anti-pollution measures will remain in effect for three days as no sign of relief is expected soon.

Several factors contribute to Delhi’s inferior quality, including construction, the city’s vehicular pollution and the stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana. While the Central Air Quality Management (CAQM), the pollution control body, has appreciated Punjab for significantly bringing down the cases of stubble burning in the state, scientist Hiren Jethva at NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, differs and told NDTV that farmers are timing stubble burning with NASA satellites overpass time over the subcontinent leading to severe undercounting. Now, exclusive satellite images accessed by NDTV appear to confirm the inference.

Satellite Images Of Punjab Farm Fires

NDTV accessed satellite images of a small area west of Amritsar, to understand the extent of farm fires on November 18 at 2:18 pm. It may look like an image of a warzone, but the smoke is not from the impact of bombs but from farmers burning their agriculture stubble. The red circles indicate the location of farm fires in a small area lying west of the Amritsar airport.

The satellite imagery experts consulted by NDTV, counted at least 26 independent farm fires in the north and west of Amritsar on November 18, shortly after NASA’s satellites with fire-detecting sensors had completed their overpass of the subcontinent.

A zoomed-in image of a farm fire west of Amristar airport shows a large amount of smoke emanating from a single farm fire that burns for several hours, contributing significantly to poor air quality and lowering the visibility in the region.

On November 18, flight operations at Amritsar Airport were impacted due to poor visibility as a result of smog and the smoke from farm fires has converted the Indo-Gangetic plain belt which includes Delhi and its adjoining areas into a gas chamber. 

Read more: Exclusive: Wary Of NASA Satellites, How Farmers In Punjab Time Crop-Burning, Scientist Explains

Mr Jethva, earlier told NDTV that, “The overpass time of NASA satellites over the region is around 1:30-2:00 pm but somehow they (farmers) have learnt that they can bypass the satellite overpass time and can burn the crop residue in the late afternoon. This is confirmed by the South Korean geostationary satellite that the majority of the crop burning happens after 2 pm once the NASA satellites overpass the region when there is no surveillance, but the fires cannot be hidden from geostationary satellites which take a picture of the region every five minutes.”

The images accessed by NDTV were captured at 2:18 pm and farm fires were visible in the Maxar imagery and are absent from farm fire data processed by Sumoi-NPP/VIIRS sensors used by NASA.

Another satellite captures an image of an area adjacent to the spot where a single fire emanated a huge amount of smoke. At least eight independent farm fires were spotted by experts who were consulted by NDTV to locate the incidents of stubble burning.

Mr Jethva earlier in an X post, shared satellite images from October 29, taken by the GEO-KOMSAT A2 satellite, showing a timelapse of the crop-burning activities in northwest India. The images show dense cloud cover over the region post-4 pm, when compared to 1:30 pm, suggesting that farmers are burning crops late afternoon to avoid NASA satellite surveillance.

NASA Data

The yellow box next to Amristar is the location of the satellite images accessed by NDTV. The red dots are farm fires which have been detected by sensors from NASA World View, data from which is extensively used in India. The fire sensor data was taken at 2:18 pm on November 18, at the same time when other satellites, except NASA’s, passed over the region

The images appear to confirm that there is a severe undercount of farm fires in Punjab which contribute significantly to the air pollution load this time of the year when farmers burn their agriculture stubble.

Mr Jethva earlier told NDTV, “Yes, farmers can hide the crop burning from the 1:30 pm overpass time but the PM 2.5 data and the pollution load over the Indo-Gangetic plain region, the geostationary satellite data and the burnt…everything is pointing toward fire is still present. Smog towers are a small fix. It won’t work unless we address the issue of crop burning in the region.”

Thermal Inversion – Another Key Factor

Thermal inversion is a big factor behind the sudden spike in dense smog and pollution levels. Mr Jethva explained that “The warmer air sits above the cooler air on the ground and that does not allow the vertical mixing of pollutants and whatever we emit at the surface stays for around 200 metres within the boundary layer. The stronger the thermal inversion, the more pollutants will be trapped near the surface because there is no venting place for the pollutants to go up in the vertical direction.”

“In the satellite images, we can notice that smoke from crop burning is mixed with clouds or is above them and that kind of situation furthers thermal inversion because of the absorption of light-absorbing aerosols and that it further warms the upper layer and increases thermal inversion,” Mr Jethva said.

The particulate matter (PM) acts as a cloud condensation nuclei which favours the formation of fog and when temperatures go down a huge amount of aerosols contribute to fog formation.

New Delhi:

A blanket of smog continued to envelop Delhi and NCR on Thursday as the air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category, reducing visibility in several parts.

According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Delhi was 379, categorised as ‘very poor’, as of 8 am. The Air Quality Index remains in the ‘severe’ category in Anand Vihar at 405, Ashok Vihar at 414, Bawana at 418, Dwarka Sector-8 at 401, Mundka at 413 and Wazirpur at 436.

The AQI measured at Chandni Chowk is 338, IGI Airport (T3) is 370, ITO is 355, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is 354, RK Puram is 387, Okhla Phase 2 is 370, Patparganj is 381, Sonia Vihar is 394 and Aya Nagar is 359, categorized as ‘very poor’.

Some flights were delayed since morning, as per FlightRadar24, while ANI reported several trains either getting late or rescheduled.

#WATCH | A layer of haze covers the Barapulla area in Delhi. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in the area remains in ‘Severe’ category.

(Drone visuals shot at 8.10 am) pic.twitter.com/CJaVOAr77Y

— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions like bans on truck entry and a halt to public construction projects. The Delhi government announced that all government offices functioning under the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi will operate with 50 per cent of the staff strength and the remaining 50 per cent of staff will work from home.

Further, a per revised GRAP guidelines, it will now be mandatory for NCR states to discontinue physical classes up to Class V under GRAP Stage III and up to Class XII under GRAP Stage IV. Under GRAP Stage IV, a “mask advisory” has been introduced, urging individuals to wear masks when stepping outdoors during periods of hazardous air quality. The revisions come even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to dense fog over Delhi-NCR in the coming days, potentially exacerbating the pollution crisis.

Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Police directed social media and e-commerce platforms to immediately cease the online sale and delivery of firecrackers within the National Capital Territory (NCT) amid rising air pollution levels.

#WATCH | A layer of haze covers the JLN (Jawaharlal Nehru) Stadium in Delhi. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in the area remains in ‘Very Poor’ category.

(Drone visuals shot at 8.10 am) pic.twitter.com/Xt2zOgkpOw

— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024

Meanwhile, toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Barrage. Visuals also showed fog covering the Taj Mahal amid ‘moderate’ air quality in Agra.

An AQI is considered “poor” between ‘200 and 300’, “very poor” at ‘301 and 400’, “severe” at ‘401-450,” and 450 and above is “severe plus.”

With inputs from agencies

New Delhi:

The Delhi government announced today that 50 per cent of its staff will work from home today as the national capital continues to grapple with severe air pollution. 

Air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR have breached the “severe” threshold, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently above 450 in many areas. This high AQI has activated Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) – the most stringent level aimed at tackling hazardous pollution.

“To reduce pollution, Delhi government has decided to work from home in government offices. 50% of employees will work from home. For its implementation, a meeting will be held with officials at 1 pm today in the Secretariat,” announced Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai. 

Recently, the Delhi government announced staggered office timings for its offices and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).  

प्रदुषण कम करने के लिए दिल्ली सरकार ने सरकारी दफ़्तरो में वर्क फ्रॉम होम का लिया निर्णय

50% कर्मचारी करेंगे घर से काम

इसके इम्पलिमेंटेशन के लिए सचिवालय में आज दोपहर 1 बजे अधिकारियों के साथ होगी बैठक

— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) November 20, 2024

A ban has been imposed on BS-IV and older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles (MGVs and HGVs) registered in Delhi, except those providing essential services. Similar bans apply to BS-III petrol vehicles as well.

Schools for Classes 10 to 12 have been temporarily closed to minimise exposure for students.

Last year, the Delhi government collaborated with IIT Kanpur to explore cloud seeding as an emergency measure. Preparations for this year’s operations began in August, but a meeting on this is yet to take place.

New Delhi:

Delhiites woke up to another smoggy morning with a thick layer of white blanket (smog) engulfing the city. The air quality index (AQI) at 6 am was recorded at 432, falling under the “severe” category”, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Low visibility due to heavy smog is likely to impact flights to and from various cities around Delhi. At 5:30 am, Amritsar and Pathankot airports in Punjab reported zero visibility. At 7 in the morning, visibility at Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur airport dropped to zero. 

#WATCH | Delhi: A thick layer of smog engulfs the Gazipur as the air quality deteriorates to ‘Severe’ category in several parts of the national capital, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

AQI in Anand Vihar is at 473 pic.twitter.com/QuiRz7LAtv

— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024

Earlier in the morning, Indigo posted a travel advisory on social media X (formerly Twitter), urging passengers to keep a tab on their flight status as some flights might be delayed due to “winter fog”.

“This morning, winter fog may impact flights to/from Amritsar, Varanasi & Delhi. Do keep a tab on your flight status before heading to the airport. Also, please allow additional travel time as road traffic may move slower than usual due to low visibility. Thank you for your patience, and we wish you a smooth journey,” it wrote.

#6ETravelAdvisory : This morning, winter fog may impact flights to/from #Amritsar, #Varanasi & #Delhi. Do keep a tab on your flight status https://t.co/CjwsVzFov0 before heading to the airport. Also, please allow additional travel time as road traffic may move slower (1/2)

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 13, 2024

A sharp spike in Delhi’s air pollution was witnessed in the past 24 hours with 30 out of 36 monitoring stations reporting severe air quality index.

Chandigarh, 250 km away from Delhi also reported a severe air quality index of 415

Smog chokes nearby Ghaziabad (AQI of 378), Noida (372), and Gurugram (323) with air quality plummeting to the “very poor” category.

Long-term exposure to “very poor” air quality can lead to respiratory. Whereas, severe AQI can affect even healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.

Smog chokes Delhi and Chandigarh as Air Quality Index (AQI) hits ‘severe’ level at 6:30 am#AQI#DelhiAQI#AirPollution#Chandigarhpic.twitter.com/COTgnH5YmO

— NDTV (@ndtv) November 14, 2024

Owing to stronger winds, the pollutant concentration and thereby the AQI, is expected to start showing a declining trend from today onwards and the AQI is likely to move back to the “very poor” category, noted a report filed by the India Meteorological Department and IITM.

On Wednesday, the AQI turned “severe” for the first time this season. The Commission for Air Quality Management described “unprecedented extremely dense fog” as an “episodic event”.

It was decided to keep a close watch on the situation, before invoking the stringent measures under Stage-III of GRAP.

There has been an early onset of toxic cover across Delhi and north India this year owing to stubble burning across the north Indian states. What is also shocking is the scale of the smog cover, as well as the level of pollutants present in it.

Satellite images show the white blanket stretching across practically the whole of north India — all the way down to Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In the east, it stretches well beyond Central Uttar Pradesh.

The smog blanket, while registering its presence just around Diwali, settles down in earnest towards the end of December and continues throughout January.

What makes this doubly clear is a satellite image from last year. Here is a comparison of both images from the Korean Geo Kompsat 2A satellite.

The smog cover over Delhi was thick and significantly dropped air quality to the ‘Severe’ category. The Air Quality Index had crossed the 400 mark — when the approved mark is around 60.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Pollution board CAQM said: “Today, Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 418 as per the 4 PM AQI Bulletin by CPCB. The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly took stock of the air quality scenario and the AQI forecast, including for the meteorological conditions as made by IMD/ IITM.”

Today, Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 418 as per the 4 PM AQI Bulletin by CPCB. The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly took stock of the air quality scenario and the AQI forecast, including for the meteorological conditions as made by IMD/ IITM.
Cont. (1/5)

— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) November 13, 2024

The low visibility sevrely hampered flight operations. The smog caused zero visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am. The Runway Visual Range varied between 125 and 500 metres, the met department said.

The pollution board said they expect the situation to improve by tomorrow morning, “owing to stronger winds”.

The Air Quality Index is also expected to move back to the ‘Very Poor’ category tomorrow.

New Delhi:

Residents in Delhi and its adjoining areas saw a thick layer of smog covering the region, significantly dropping the air quality to the ‘Severe’ category after the Air Quality Index crossed the 400 mark and disrupted flight operations due to low visibility.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has called the early-morning dense smog an “episodic event”.

Thick smog caused zero-metre visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am with the Runway Visual Range varying between 125 and 500 metres at different locations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Since October, the Delhi-NCR region has seen air quality dropping to dangerous levels, with many contributing factors like vehicular pollution in the capital and stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. 

Pollution board CAQM said, “Today, Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 418 as per the 4 PM AQI Bulletin by CPCB. The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly took stock of the air quality scenario and the AQI forecast, including for the meteorological conditions as made by IMD/ IITM.”

Today, Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 418 as per the 4 PM AQI Bulletin by CPCB. The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly took stock of the air quality scenario and the AQI forecast, including for the meteorological conditions as made by IMD/ IITM.
Cont. (1/5)

— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) November 13, 2024

“The Sub-Committee noted this steep rise in AQI of Delhi owing to this episodic event, since this morning.”

The board said they expect the situation to improve by tomorrow morning, “owing to stronger winds” and the “AQI, is expected to start showing a declining trend tomorrow onwards.” They said the air quality is likely to move back to the ‘Very Poor’ category tomorrow.

On enforcing stage III of pollution measures, the panel said, “Comprehensively reviewing this scenario accordingly, it was decided by the Sub-Committee to keep a close watch on the situation, before invoking the stringent/ restrictive measures under Stage-III of GRAP and to review the status tomorrow.”

In October, the panel implemented stage II of the anti-pollution plan in the city after the AQI crossed the 300 mark and has hovered mostly between 200-300 since then. 

Under stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan, there will be restrictions on the use of coal and firewood as well as diesel generator sets in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads will also be carried out daily, and dust control measures will be enforced at construction and demolition sites.

Further, traffic personnel will be deployed at congestion points, vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport and additional bus and metro services will be started.

Under stage III measures, there’s a ban on non-essential construction work and the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR.

New Delhi:

A dense layer of smog enveloped Delhi and surrounding regions of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad on Wednesday morning.

Delhi’s air quality index was in the ‘Severe’ category breaching the 400 mark, while that of Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad was in the ‘Poor’ category. Faridabad’s AQI, at 188, was ‘Moderate’.

Visibility was poor as the AQI entered the ‘Severe’ category after remaining in the ‘Very Poor’ category for two weeks in Delhi.

VIDEO | Dense #smog cover in parts of Delhi. Visuals from Akshardham area.#DelhiWeather#DelhiPollution

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/nTRkp0W95m

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2024

The second stage of Graded Response Action Plan remains in force in the national capital, which entails mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads, and implementation of dust control measures at construction and demolition sites.

Air quality remained a concern all over the Indo-Gangetic Plains, with three Bihar cities, two Haryana cities and Chandigarh featuring among the top 10 polluted places in the country on Wednesday.

#WATCH | Delhi continues to be covered in a blanket of smog in the mornings as the air quality in the city remains in ‘Very Poor’ category as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

(Visuals from Azadpur Mandi) pic.twitter.com/h9CR1CtRZO

— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2024

The situation is alarming in neighbouring Pakistan, where United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned about the health risks to 11 million children in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province due to worsening air pollution.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, 401 and 450 ‘severe’ and above 450 ‘severe plus’.

New Delhi:

At the cusp of winter season, a thin layer of smog engulfed Delhi and surrounding areas on Saturday, even as the air quality plummeted to the ‘Poor’ category.

While Delhi Air Quality Index stood at 273, Ghaziabad was at 246 and Noida at 228 at 8.20 am. In Delhi, the highest AQI was at the Akshardham and Anand Vihar area at 334 categorized as ‘Very Poor’, followed by AQI of 253 at AIIMS and surrounding areas, news agency ANI reported. At India Gate, the AQI dropped to 251, categorized as ‘Poor’.

Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday held an emergency meeting with all concerned officials regarding the issue of pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the air quality is deteriorating as winter approaches the national capital. The Minister said the concerned authorities have been instructed to find out the local sources behind the deteriorating air quality.

#WATCH | Delhi: A layer of fog engulfs India Gate and surrounding areas as the AQI drops to 251, categorised as ‘Poor’. pic.twitter.com/GRK11QlHMF

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2024

“Winter is coming and the level of air pollution is increasing. The level has reached the poor category in Delhi. There are 13 hotspots in Delhi where AQI has crossed 300- Wazirpur, Mundka, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, Dwarka Sector-8, Bawana, Narela, Vivek Vihar, Okhla Phase 2, Punjabi Bagh, Ashok Vihar and RK Puram. The AQI level was highest in Wazirpur,” Mr Rai said in a press conference.

Mr Rai also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party’s handling of the air pollution in Delhi. He said that the opposition has no right to comment on this as the BJP government is sleeping in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and at the Centre.

#WATCH | Delhi: A layer of smog engulfs the Akshardham and the surrounding areas as the AQI in the area rises to 334, categorised as ‘Very Poor’ as per the Central Pollution Control Board pic.twitter.com/1EovJit5Wc

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2024

Adding to concerns over pollution in Delhi-NCR was the toxic foam was seen blanketing the Yamuna river. The pungent foam contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, posing serious health risks, including respiratory and skin problems, environmental experts told news agency PTI. They said the pollution levels in the river are alarming and urged the government to tackle it on a war footing because major festivals like Chhath Puja are approaching.

#WATCH | Delhi: Toxic foam seen floating on the Yamuna River as pollution level in the river rises. Drone visuals from Kalindi Kunj. pic.twitter.com/1kLjlYZn3Z

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2024

Currently, Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Delhi-NCR to tackle rising air pollution.