Tue Nov 19 09:51:08 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chokes on ‘Severe Plus’ Air Pollution, Schools Go Online
**New Delhi, India –** A thick smog has enveloped Delhi and surrounding areas, plunging the region into a severe air pollution crisis. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached nearly 500, categorized as “severe plus,” forcing widespread disruption.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi registered 494 at 6 am this morning, with most of the city’s 35 monitoring stations recording a maximum AQI of 500. The hazardous conditions have severely impacted visibility.
In response to the worsening air quality, educational institutions have taken action. Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University have shifted to online classes. Following a Monday announcement by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, all physical classes up to the 12th grade across the city have been suspended, with instruction moving online. Schools in Noida, Haryana, and Gurugram have implemented similar measures. The situation remains critical, and further updates are expected.
First Piper 