Northern India encountered the recurring annual pre-winter event of air emergency where the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings of main pollutant PM 2.5 breached the 400-mark of “very poor” and landed the air of Delhi, Punjab and other northern cities into the “hazardous” category.

Amid the worsening air quality in the national capital, several measures are set to kick in as AQI reaches alarming levels.

Starting Monday, Delhi will enforce GRAP Stage 4 restrictions to tackle severe pollution levels. This initiative aims to enhance air quality standards and safeguard public health as environmental issues escalate in the city.

The air quality in New Delhi worsened to the 'severe plus' category with the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 400 in most places in the national capital. The AQI was highest in Najafgarh at 748,

Delhi's air quality reached hazardous levels with an AQI of 409, prompting urgent health advisories and government measures amid severe pollution.

All stations in Delhi recorded an AQI over 400 on Sunday, with Bawana (490), Ashok Vihar (487) and Wazirpur (483) appearing as the most polluted at the 7 pm mark.

Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Sunday morning, with air quality levels plunging to severe levels, leaving residents grappling with poor visibility and health risks. The dense haze, caused by a mix of local pollution and the seasonal crop burning in neighbouring states,

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI), as per ANI, spiked to 428 at 8 am, firmly placing it in the "severe" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Lodhi Road, Burari crossing, and Sri Aurobindo Marg maintained 'very poor' air quality levels, with AQI readings around 350.

Airport dropped to 800 meters at 7:30 am, leading to 107 flights being delayed and 3 cancelled, according to Flightradar.