GRAP-2 Revoked In Delhi-NCR After Weather Shift, AQI Forecast To Improve

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 07:54 IST

Stage 2 measures are typically enforced when the AQI crosses the 300 mark, and is expected to remain above that threshold. These curbs had been in force since last year.

Delhi witnessed light, patchy rainfall on Wednesday, accompanied by overcast skies and occasional gusty winds across parts of the city. The brief spell led to a noticeable dip in temperatures after the mercury had hovered above 30°C for the past two days.

Meanwhile, Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been imposed in the national capital as authorities continue to monitor air quality levels and enforce pollution-control measures.

According to the 4 pm bulletin, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 214, placing it in the “poor" category. This marked the fifth consecutive day that air quality remained in the poor range, though it was slightly lower than Tuesday’s average AQI of 249.

The CAQM said it was lifting restrictions under GRAP stage-2 since “as per the dynamic model and forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by both the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the average AQI of Delhi is likely to remain in ‘poor’ to ‘moderate’ category in the coming days."

With the withdrawal of Stage 2 of the GRAP, several restrictions have been lifted across Delhi-NCR. This includes the resumption of entry for interstate buses that are not BS-6, electric, or CNG-compliant, along with the rollback of enhanced parking fees and curbs on the use of diesel generator sets.

Stage 2 measures are typically enforced when the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 300 mark — categorised as “very poor" — and is expected to remain above that threshold. These curbs had been in force since last year.

To be sure, air quality in the region starts to improve from late February and early March as temperatures rise, making it easier for pollutants to disperse.

Rain accompanied by strong winds of up to 40 kmph and persistent cloud cover led to a sharp fall in temperatures, with the mercury dropping nearly 10 degrees compared to the previous day and settling three degrees below the seasonal average.

The maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 21.1°C, a steep decline from 30.9°C on Tuesday, which was seven degrees above normal. On Monday, the temperature had climbed to 31.6°C — the first time this year that it crossed the 30-degree mark and the earliest such rise in February in the past five years.

Overcast skies led Delhi’s minimum temperature to rise to 15.8°C — five degrees above normal. On Tuesday, the minimum was recorded at 12.4°C.

The maximum temperature is likely to remain between 26°C and 28°C on Thursday, before gradually climbing again to around 31°C by Sunday. It is expected to rise further to nearly 32°C on Monday and Tuesday, pointing to a warmer close to the month.

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