📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Rohit2301
Weather
Delhi-NCR Air Quality Hits 'Severe' Level Ahead of Diwali Amid GRAP-3
✍️ Amar Ujala · Delhi
🗓 07 Nov 2026, 07:37 PM
👁 4
Air quality in Delhi-NCR has deteriorated to the 'severe' category before Diwali due to crop residue burning and low wind speeds, prompting the enforcement of GRAP-3 restrictions.
The air quality in the Delhi-NCR region has significantly worsened, entering the 'severe' category in the days leading up to the Diwali festival. This sharp decline in air quality is primarily attributed to the burning of crop residue in neighboring states and the presence of low wind speeds, which prevent the dispersion of pollutants.
In response to the hazardous conditions, authorities have enforced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3. These measures impose strict restrictions on various activities to curb the emission of particulate matter and improve air circulation. The implementation of GRAP-3 signals a critical escalation in the region's pollution control efforts.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, including limiting outdoor exposure and using protective masks, as the situation remains tense. The combination of seasonal agricultural practices and meteorological factors has created a challenging environment for public health in the capital region.
While the immediate focus is on managing the current severe conditions, the outlook for the post-Diwali period remains a subject of close monitoring. Authorities continue to assess the impact of the enforced restrictions on air quality indices as the festival approaches.
In response to the hazardous conditions, authorities have enforced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3. These measures impose strict restrictions on various activities to curb the emission of particulate matter and improve air circulation. The implementation of GRAP-3 signals a critical escalation in the region's pollution control efforts.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, including limiting outdoor exposure and using protective masks, as the situation remains tense. The combination of seasonal agricultural practices and meteorological factors has created a challenging environment for public health in the capital region.
While the immediate focus is on managing the current severe conditions, the outlook for the post-Diwali period remains a subject of close monitoring. Authorities continue to assess the impact of the enforced restrictions on air quality indices as the festival approaches.