Amid rising air pollution levels in the national capital and its adjoining areas, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, residents continue to grapple with the thick toxic smog, prompting authorities to take strict measure to combat the health emergency.

GRAP stage 3 will come into force at 8am on Friday. The Delhi government announced that classes for primary schools will be shifted to online.

Delhi's air quality remains severe, prompting GRAP-III restrictions under which stringent ban will be put in place on construction and demolition activities among others.

Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning. This time, experts say that the condition is likely to get worse in the coming days.

Delhi CM Atishi said due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions.

Air pollution choking New Delhi has ground outdoor work to a halt and disrupted air travel in the Indian capital.

Air pollution in the Indian capital is more than 50 times what is considered safe by the World Health Organization.

As of early Thursday morning, the AQI at key locations like Anand Vihar, Bawana, Dwarka Sector 8, and Jahangirpuri surpassed 400, entering the "severe" category.

India's capital New Delhi ordered all primary schools to cease in-person classes until further notice on Thursday night due to worsening smog in the sprawling megacity.

Stay informed with our live blog covering India’s latest in politics, economy, crime, and general news. Get real-time updates on political developments, financial trends, crime reports, and important events across the country.