Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are bracing for another day under a dangerous “severe” air quality blanket this Sunday, December 14, following a drastic spike in pollution levels on Saturday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to an alarming 431 by Saturday afternoon, prompting authorities to immediately invoke the most stringent Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)—the first implementation of the “severe plus” category this season.
The primary culprit behind the sudden deterioration is identified as a weather pattern: a Western Disturbance causing “very low wind speed” since Friday. This stagnation has prevented the dispersion of pollutants, keeping the AQI in the dangerous “severe” range. Forecasts indicate little relief for Sunday, with the AQI expected to remain critical.
In response to the emergency, significant curbs are now in place across the NCR:
- Work-from-Home Mandate: All government and private offices must allow 50% of staff to work from home.
- Hybrid Schooling: Classes for students up to Grade 9 and Grade 11 have been ordered to move to a hybrid physical and virtual mode.
- Transport Ban: Delhi-registered heavy diesel vehicles (BS-IV and below) are now restricted.
While weather experts anticipate a slight improvement from Monday, with wind speeds expected to increase, the AQI is only projected to drop to the “very poor” category, not a full recovery. The CAQM held an emergency meeting, directing immediate action to manage traffic, control road dust, and properly dispose of municipal solid waste, citing poor performance in these areas, particularly in Haryana’s NCR districts.