Early Winter break in Delhi this year

Due to severe air pollution...

From November 9 to 19, schools in Delhi are set for an early winter break as directed by the government, responding to the city's severe air pollution. The education directorate's November 8 order emphasizes the complete closure of schools during this period, allowing both students and teachers to stay at home.

The order, signed by Education Director Himanshu Gupta, states that due to the implementation of GRAP-4 measures amid severe air quality in Delhi and the absence of predicted relief from adverse weather conditions by the IMD, the winter break for the session 2023-24 is advanced. This decision aims to ensure the complete closure of schools from November 9 to November 18, allowing both children and teachers to stay at home. School heads are instructed to promptly communicate this information to parents.

Delhi's air quality hit a severe level on Wednesday, recording an Air Quality Index of 425 at 1 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Despite briefly improving to the 'very poor' category on Tuesday after five consecutive 'severe' air days, it reverted to the 'severe' category on Tuesday night.

According to the Decision Support System (DSS) data, stubble burning contributed approximately 33.07% to Delhi's pollution on Wednesday, showing a slight decrease from 37.8% on Tuesday. The city's transport sector followed as the next significant contributor, accounting for an estimated 12.64% of Delhi's PM 2.5 concentration. The primary pollutants in Delhi's air persist as PM2.5 and PM10.

The Early Warning System (EWS) forecasts an improvement in Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) to the 'very poor' category on Thursday, continuing through Saturday. This positive shift is attributed to the influence of stronger winds. Additionally, the IMD suggests a potential drizzle in Delhi on November 10.