As pollution levels soar, the city is under siege, forcing residents, businesses and schools to adapt in real time to a worsening crisis

The relentless smog that first engulfed the region last week has transformed life into a desperate battle for millions living in and around Delhi-NCR - the Ground Zero of the toxic air apocalypse in north India forcing residents, businesses, and schools to adapt to the worsening crisis that is likely to persist for days.

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The Supreme Court on Monday asked Delhi and NCR states to take a decision on online classes for students of Class 10 and Class 12 - the last students still attending physical classes and inform it by Friday. By late on Monday, classes in these two grades were also suspended.

"From tomorrow, physical classes shall be suspended for Class 10 and 12 as well, and all studies will be shifted online," Delhi chief minister Atishi wrote Authorities on X.

Authorities in Gurugram, in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad also announced the full suspension of physical classes for all grades.

Delhi University also announced by night that all classes will be held in online mode until Saturday, November 23, 2024, for the well-being of students.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government imposed Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), which include a blanket ban on construction and demolition activities and the entry of trucks into the Capital. However, decisions on implementing the oddeven vehicle rationing scheme remain pending.