Delhi-NCR woke up to dense smog on Saturday as air quality deteriorated sharply overnight, pushing the region into the ‘severe’ pollution category and prompting authorities to invoke Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire NCR.
According to official data, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) jumped from 349 at 4 pm on December 12 to 401 by 10 am on December 13, crossing the threshold for ‘severe’ air quality. Officials attributed the sudden spike to slow wind speed, a stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather conditions and poor dispersion of pollutants.
In view of the worsening trend, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to enforce all measures under GRAP Stage III with immediate effect, reported news agency UNI.
Authorities have also directed pollution control boards and enforcement agencies across NCR to step up preventive measures to arrest any further deterioration in air quality.
Delhi airport activates low visibility procedures
Amid reduced visibility due to fog and smog, the Indira Gandhi International Airport issued a passenger advisory, confirming that Low Visibility Procedures (LVPs) were in force.
Airport officials said flight operations were normal at present but advised passengers to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when visibility tends to worsen.
Officials said the situation was being monitored closely as fog and smog continued to affect visibility across the city.
Update issued at 06:54 hours.
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.x.com/PvOE36WUY3— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 13, 2025
Several areas record ‘severe’ pollution levels
Air quality data showed that 18 locations across Delhi recorded AQI readings above 400, placing them in the “severe” category. Topping the most polluted areas’ list is Wazirpur, with an AQI of 443, followed by Jahangirpuri (439) and Vivek Vihar (437).
Other hotspots included Anand Vihar and Rohini (434 each), Ashok Vihar (431), Sonia Vihar and Delhi Technological University (427 each), Narela (425), Bawana (424), Nehru Nagar (421), Patparganj (419), ITO (417), Punjabi Bagh (416), Mundka (415), Burari Crossing (413), Chandni Chowk (412) and DU North Campus (401).
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Experts attribute the sharp deterioration to a combination of low wind speed, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and seasonal factors, including crop residue burning in neighbouring states, which restricts the dispersion of pollutants.
Health professionals warned that extended exposure to such air quality can reduce lung function, strain the heart, worsen asthma, and cause irritation of the eyes and throat. Residents have been urged to stay indoors as much as possible and follow pollution-related advisories under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which authorities may step up if air quality continues to worsen.
The capital remains under cool, cloudy skies, with temperatures lingering around 10 degrees Celsius, adding to the heavy, winter smog hanging over the city. The minimum temperature is expected to drop to around 8 degrees Celsius later in the night. Meteorological officials said colder days ahead, combined with low wind movement, could further impact air quality in the coming days.