Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Delhi Faces Severe Air Pollution Crisis
Delhi is experiencing very bad air quality, which is harmful to health.
The government has ordered schools to stop outdoor sports and has banned construction and other activities that add to pollution.
The air quality is so bad that it has reached dangerous levels, and people are advised to stay indoors and wear masks if they must go outside.
Politicians are arguing about who is responsible for the pollution and how to fix it.
Experts say that long-term solutions are needed to improve the air quality.
Additionally, dense fog has caused many flights to be cancelled or delayed, affecting travel plans for many people.
Airlines like Air India and IndiGo have issued advisories to passengers, asking them to check the latest flight updates before travelling.
A survey found that 82% of Delhi-NCR residents know someone severely ill from air pollution, highlighting the serious health impacts of the crisis.
Delhi's AQI reached 498, marking one of the worst air quality days on record, with some areas like Wazirpur and Rohini touching the maximum value of 500.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), banning construction, demolition activities, and non-essential truck entry.
Health experts advised people to avoid outdoor activities, wear masks, and stay hydrated due to the severe air quality.
Political leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Rekha Gupta, exchanged remarks over the handling of pollution, with Kejriwal criticizing Gupta for mocking Vipassana meditation.
The AAP accused the BJP government of failing to address the pollution issue, while the BJP attributed the pollution to weather conditions.
Dense fog and poor visibility led to the cancellation of 40 flights and diversion of 4 flights at Delhi Airport, with airlines like Air India and IndiGo issuing advisories to passengers.
The Supreme Court of India scheduled a hearing on the worsening air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR for December 17, 2025, to address poor implementation of preventive measures.
A survey by LocalCircles found that 82% of Delhi-NCR residents know someone severely ill from air pollution, with health conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung damage, heart failure, strokes, and cognitive decline.
The Delhi government ordered all schools to shift to compulsory online-only classes for students from nursery to Class 5 due to the severe air pollution.
Health experts emphasized the importance of staying indoors, using air purifiers, and wearing N95 or N99 masks when outdoors to protect against the harmful effects of air pollution.
- Who
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Arvind Kejriwal, Health Experts, Air India, IndiGo, Singapore High Commission, LocalCircles
- What
- Enforcement of Stage IV of GRAP, suspension of outdoor sports activities, political remarks on pollution handling, flight cancellations and delays due to poor visibility, health impacts of air pollution
- When
- Immediate effect, December 14-15, 2025
- Where
- Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR)
- Why
- To mitigate health risks due to severe air pollution and address political criticisms, and to ensure safety due to poor visibility
- Air Quality Index (AQI)
- 498 (Severe)
- Affected Regions
- Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR)
- Directive Issued By
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- Affected Activities
- Outdoor physical sports activities in schools, construction, demolition work, stone crushers, and mining operations
- GRAP Stage Enforced
- Stage IV
- Additional Restrictions Under Stage IV
- Ban on BS-IV trucks, diesel heavy goods vehicles, and non-essential truck entry
- Supreme Court Order Date
- December 17, 2025
- Maximum AQI Recorded
- 500 (Wazirpur and Rohini)
- Health Advisory
- Avoid outdoor activities, wear masks, stay hydrated
- Flights Cancelled
- 40 flights cancelled, 4 flights diverted (Delhi Airport)
- Airlines Affected
- Air India, IndiGo
- Survey Findings
- 82% of Delhi-NCR residents know someone severely ill from air pollution
- Health Conditions Reported
- Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung damage, heart failure, strokes, cognitive decline
- Medical Expense Concerns
- 73% of respondents worried about affording healthcare
- Intention to Move
- 8% of respondents plan to leave Delhi-NCR due to pollution
Sources
Amid toxic air, CAQM orders halt on school sports in Delhi NCR, warns of health dangers
Delhi AQI at 461 sets record for second-worst December day; Rohini, Wazirpur touch 500 ceiling
CM Gupta takes ‘vipassana’ jibe at Kejriwal; AAP chief says don’t ‘mock’ meditation technique
Low visibility in Delhi as thick smog engulfs city; AQI breaches 450-mark
Pollution crisis: Delhi High Court allows hybrid hearings for lawyers, litigants
Delhi weather: 40 flights cancelled, four diverted, says Delhi Airport
Singapore High Commission issues advisory as pollution level soars in Delhi
Delhi air pollution: Congress gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha. Here's what it means
IndiGo flight status today: Over 100 flights cancelled across Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad; check full list
Supreme Court to hear plea on Delhi-NCR air pollution crisis on 17 December — Here's all we know
Air India Issues Travel Advisory on Flight Cancellations in Delhi
No Data on Deaths from Air Pollution? Experts 'Fact Check' Centre's Claims
Delhi AQI reaches ‘severe’: Here’s what air pollution does to your body, and who does air pollution affect the most?
‘Apocalypse movie’: As Delhi air pollution worsens, video of thick smog engulfing Noida high-rise sparks outcry
Delhi AQI at 400: Does air pollution impact your mental health? Here’s what studies say
Delhi’s air is choking its sports events—cyclothons and marathons cancelled due to AQI
Amid severe air pollution, Delhi-NCR schools holding sports activities against court directive, amicus curiae informs SC
Delhi, Noida Ghaziabad schools switch to online, hybrid mode as air pollution chokes NCR
Delhi-NCR AQI Crosses 400, Schools Shift to Hybrid Classes, Flights Disrupted
Civil Aviation Ministry issues alert for northern India airports amid dense fog, travellers advised to check flights
Delhi bans use of coal and firewood in tandoors across eateries
Environment minister reviews air pollution action plans of Ghaziabad, Noida
Delhi Smog Alert: How To Stay Safe Indoors And Outdoors As AQI Dips In NCR?
Will Delhi schools stay open for Classes VI to XII amid severe air quality? What govt order says
Delhi Schools Switch To Online-Only Classes For Students Up To Class 5 Due To Pollution
Toxic Winter: Delhi's AQI Breaches 460, NCR Cities Gasp For Air
Online Classes For Nursery To Class 5 In Delhi Schools Amid Severe Pollution
Delhi schools closed for students up to Class 5 amid severe pollution, classes moved online
82% Delhiites Know Someone Severely Ill From Air Pollution: Study
Worsening Air Quality: Delhi Orders Online-Only Classes For Nursery To Class 5
Videos Show "Dangerous" Situation In Delhi NCR As It Chokes Under Dense Smog
Delhi Govt Suspends Physical Classes Up to Class 5 As Air Quality Remains In 'Severe' Category
'Killer' Toxic Air: 73% Delhi-NCR Residents Worry About Healthcare Costs, 8% Want To Move Out
With AQI at 427, Delhi schools shift to online classes for students up to Class 5
Delhi Schools Go Fully Online For Nursery To Class 5 As Air Pollution Turns Severe
Delhi govt orders schools to shift to online classes up to Class 5 amid pollution woes
‘AQI’, ‘AQI’ chants greet CM Rekha Gupta at Messi event in smog-hit Delhi
Aviation Crisis Deepens as Delhi Airport Cancels 228 Flights Due to Low Visiblity
No physical classes for primary students due to dip in air quality: Delhi govt
- The Statesman
'AQI, AQI' Chants Echo as CM Rekha Gupta Attends Messi Event in Smog-Hit Delhi