Tue Dec 17 04:30:51 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chokes Under Severe Air Pollution; Stage 4 Restrictions Imposed

**New Delhi, India –** Delhi’s air quality plummeted to “severe” levels on Tuesday morning, forcing authorities to impose the strictest Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 427, with 28 out of 35 monitoring stations recording “severe” levels, some exceeding 450 (“severe plus”). The remaining stations reported “very poor” air quality.

The poor air quality is attributed to calm winds and fog, which reduced visibility significantly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts moderate fog and calm winds to persist for the next two days. The minimum temperature dipped to 5.9 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal, while humidity reached 97%. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 24 degrees Celsius.

Stage 4 restrictions, implemented by the Centre’s air quality panel, include a complete ban on construction activities and the entry of non-essential goods-carrying trucks into Delhi. Schools, except for those in classes X and XII, are mandated to switch to a hybrid learning model. These stringent measures follow the implementation of Stage 3 restrictions earlier on Monday, after the AQI breached 350. The severe air quality poses significant health risks to all residents, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions.

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