With air quality in Delhi continuing to remain in the ‘severe’ category, the Singapore High Commission in India has issued a health and travel advisory for its nationals living in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The advisory urges residents to follow local government guidelines, including staying indoors as much as possible and wearing masks when stepping outside.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 437 at 2 pm on Monday, placing it firmly in the ‘severe’ category. All air quality monitoring stations across the capital recorded AQI levels above 400, indicating hazardous conditions for public health.
In a post shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Singapore High Commission noted that Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)—the strictest pollution control measure—was invoked on December 13, 2025. Under GRAP Stage 4, construction and industrial activities are significantly restricted, while schools and offices are encouraged to shift to hybrid or remote working models.
The advisory further highlighted that the Delhi government has asked residents—particularly children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions—to avoid outdoor exposure. The High Commission urged Singaporean nationals to strictly adhere to these recommendations in the interest of their health and safety.
Low visibility caused by dense smog has also affected air travel. Authorities at Indira Gandhi International Airport and several airlines have issued operational advisories, warning of potential delays and cancellations. The Singapore High Commission advised travelers to stay in regular contact with their airlines for updated flight information.
As of Monday afternoon, over 400 flights were delayed, with 61 cancellations and five diversions reported due to reduced visibility. While airport officials later stated that runway visibility had improved and operations were gradually stabilising, some flight disruptions were still expected.
The High Commission also shared emergency contact details for Singaporean nationals requiring consular assistance in the Delhi-NCR region.
Air quality experts classify AQI levels above 400 as ‘severe’, posing serious health risks. Pollution levels exceeding 450 fall under ‘severe plus’, while readings near 500 are considered extremely dangerous
