As Delhi’s air quality continues to deteriorate and expected to worsen further, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.

According to official data, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI), which was 343 at 4 pm on January 15, showed a steady upward trend and rose to 354 at the same time on Friday.

Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the IITM have indicated that due to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable meteorological conditions and lack of pollutant dispersion, Delhi’s AQI is likely to cross 400-mark and enter the ‘severe’ category in the coming days.

After reviewing the air quality scenario and weather forecasts, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decided to implement all actions prescribed under Stage III of the revised GRAP schedule, in addition to measures already in force under Stages I and II.