Delhi , 20 Dec : Delhi-NCR woke up on Saturday under a heavy layer of fog, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for dense fog expected throughout the day.
The IMD forecast described conditions as ‘partly cloudy, with dense to very dense fog during morning hours and mist or shallow fog during night and early hours’.
The weather agency categorised fog based on visibility: it defines 0 to 50 metres as very dense, 51 to 200 metres as dense, 201–500 metres as moderate, and 501–1,000 metres as shallow.
Alongside poor visibility, Delhi continued to struggle with severe air pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 376 at 6:00 AM, placing it firmly in the very poor category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Air Quality Early Warning System has warned that pollution levels are likely to worsen, with the AQI potentially crossing into the severe 400-plus category over the weekend.
Several areas registered alarmingly high readings. Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar recorded AQI levels of 428, Akshardham at 420, Ashok Vihar at 407, ITO at 429, Rao Tularam Marg at 403, and the Barapullah flyover at 380. Large portions of the national capital are now under the ‘severe’ air quality classification.
Measures Under Stage IV GRAP
In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.
These measures include a ban on non-essential construction, restrictions on certain diesel vehicles, and intensified enforcement to curb pollution sources.
According to AQI standards, air quality is classified as ‘good’ between 0–50, ‘satisfactory’ 51–100, ‘moderate’ 101–200, ‘poor’ 201–300, ‘very poor’ 301–400, and “severe” 401–500.
Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activity, use masks when travelling, and monitor vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly closely during the current hazardous conditions.
