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Schools in Delhi will resume classes in ‘hybrid’ mode from Thursday following the re-imposition of GRAP Stage IV curbs across the national capital region. Air quality in Delhi-NCR plummeted overnight — soaring from 275 to 396 within 24 hours — as calm winds, low temperatures and foggy conditions allowed accumulation of pollutants.
A notice issued by the Delhi government on Wednesday evening asked schools to adopt hybrid mode with ‘immediate effect’ — in accordance with the latest Commission for Air Quality Management order. Authorities said the order will remain in place until further notice.
The fourth and final stage of GRAP restrictions require schools in Delhi-NCR to mandatorily conduct classes in ‘hybrid’ mode — with students attending both online and offline as required. The rule also applies to senior students — excluding those studying in Class X and Class XII.
Delhi is experiencing cold waves at present — which are contributing to elevated levels of air pollution.
GRAP Stage IV curbs are typically imposed when the air quality hits the ‘severe plus’ mark with AQI above 450. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board at 4:00 pm placed Delhi and Ghaziabad well into the “very poor” category. Meanwhile Greater Noida and Gurugram reported an AQI in the “poor” segment in the past 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predicted that AQI may breach the 400 mark soon.
“The AQI of Delhi for 14.01.2025 which reported as 275, exhibited a sharp increasing trend on 15.01.2025 and logging the AQI of 386 owing to dense foggy conditions and low temperatures leading to extremely low mixing height & ventilation coefficient for dispersion of pollutants,” the official order said.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 and 100 'satisfactory,' 101 and 200 'moderate,' 201 and 300 'poor,' 301 and 400 'very poor,' and 401 and 500 'severe.'
(With inputs from agencies)
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