Air Pollution: Delhi was shrouded in a layer of toxic smog on Thursday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that air quality remained in the ‘inferior’ category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 349 at 7 am.
Delhiites are facing serious health problems such as difficulty breathing, eye irritation, and sore throat due to the toxic smog. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached the very poor or severe category in many areas, prompting experts to advise the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a cold wave in Punjab today.
Air Quality Management (GRAP)
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which manages pollution response, announced on Wednesday that it will immediately lift all Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This decision came after three days of improved air quality in Delhi.
The CAQM statement stated that Stage I and II measures will remain in effect. They should be implemented in accordance with the revised GRAP of November 21, 2025. All relevant agencies in the National Capital Region (NCR) should strictly monitor and review these measures. The statement added that this ensures that AQI levels do not fall further into the ‘severe’ category.
GRAP is a series of emergency measures implemented in the Delhi-NCR region. Its purpose is to gradually control air pollution, with stronger measures depending on the AQI.
IMD Weather Forecast
According to the IMD’s All India Weather Warning Bulletin, heavy rain is likely throughout the day at isolated places in Maharashtra, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Telangana.
Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected at isolated places. These include Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Central Maharashtra, and Marathwada.
Delhi and its surrounding areas (Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad) will remain cloudy. Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to hover around 20°C and 32°C. Fog is also expected at isolated places in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh.
Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with possible thunderstorms and strong winds.
Abhishek Anand, Director of IMD Ranchi, provided an update for Jharkhand. He said, “Temperatures may drop by another 1.5 degrees by tomorrow morning. However, they are expected to rise again by 2-4 degrees over the next 2-3 days.”
He explained that this change in temperature is linked to two weather systems forming near the Indian Ocean. One is Cyclone Senyar in Northeast Indonesia, which has intensified. Additionally, a low-pressure system has formed in the Southwest Bay of Bengal, which could intensify further within 24 hours.
(With agency input)