New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- In response to a spike in pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday invoked Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR), with immediate effect.

The decision comes on the heels of rapidly deteriorating meteorological conditions that pushed Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) into the 'Very Poor' category at 324 on Monday

According to the CAQM sub-committee review meeting held today, Delhi's air quality witnessed a steep and sudden downward spiral over a 72-hour window, beginning with an AQI of 117 in the 'Moderate' category on Saturday, followed by a sharp rise to 261 in the 'Poor' category on Sunday, and worsening further to 324 in...