Delhi has ordered all government and private offices to work with only 50% staff on site, while the rest must work from home. The decision comes as the city’s air quality stayed close to the ‘severe’ mark, with an AQI of 382 on Monday. The government asked offices to use staggered work hours and reduce vehicle use. Essential services like hospitals, transport, power, water and sanitation are exempt. Many monitoring stations recorded pollution levels above 400. Delhi has also enforced staggered timings for government offices. The city remains under Stage 3 of the GRAP curbs since November 11. (PC: HT)

A huge ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving towards northwest India and may affect Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR and Punjab. The ash is 10–15 km above the ground and is mainly a threat to flights. Airlines have begun cancelling and rerouting flights, with more disruption expected on Tuesday. IndiGo has already cancelled six flights. IMD says the ash will make the sky hazy but will not affect the surface much. However, experts warn it could worsen pollution. Delhi’s AQI was already near the “severe” mark on Monday. Officials are closely monitoring the situation. (PC: Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP)

Delhi faced very poor air for the tenth day on Sunday. The city’s overall AQI was 380, which is close to the severe mark. Several areas recorded even worse levels. Jahangirpuri reached 438, while Bawana, Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar also showed severe pollution. NCR regions like Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad reported very poor to severe air. Gurugram and Faridabad were slightly better but still in the poor category. The air was mixed with fog as temperatures fell. To control the crisis, the CAQM moved several GRAP measures to earlier stages, adding stricter rules to slow pollution. (PC: India Today)

The Commission for Air Quality Management has tightened pollution rules in Delhi-NCR as the air quality stays in the ‘Very Poor’ range. The panel has revised the Graded Response Action Plan and moved many curbs to lower stages so they can be used earlier. Steps like ensuring steady power supply, adding traffic staff, sending public alerts, and increasing CNG and electric buses are now part of Stage I. Staggered office timings have been moved to Stage II. The panel has also allowed work-from-home steps from Stage IV to be used under Stage III if needed. (PC: India Today)

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near Narsingdi in Bangladesh at around 10:08 a.m. IST, registering at just 14 km from the town. Strong tremors were felt in Kolkata and neighbouring West Bengal districts, prompting residents to rush out of offices and homes in alarm. At least six people were killed and several injured in Bangladesh, though no major damage or casualties have been reported in India so far. Authorities remain vigilant to monitor for potential after‑shocks and structural impact.

Residents in Kolkata and nearby districts were jolted by intense seismic tremors today, forcing many to flee offices and homes onto the streets in alarm. European‑Mediterranean Seismological Centre registered the quake as originating in neighbouring Bangladesh, though its exact magnitude and depth remain unconfirmed. No immediate reports of structural damage or injuries have surfaced, but social-media users described the shake as unusually long and powerful. Authorities continue to monitor the situation for potential after-effects.

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near Narsingdi, Bangladesh at around 10:08 a.m. IST on Friday, registering just 14 km west-south-west of the town. The quake was keenly felt in Kolkata and adjacent regions in West Bengal, with residents reporting visible swaying of fans and wall-hangings and many evacuating offices and homes. Despite the strong sensations and widespread concern, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties and authorities are monitoring for any after-effects. (

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following a cyclonic circulation forming over the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify from November 21. Forecasts indicate heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) in Nicobar and heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) in Andaman. Thunderstorms, gusty winds of 40-50 km/h and lightning are likely on November 24-25, with squally seas (35-45 km/h gusting up to 55 km/h) in the Andaman Sea. Fishermen, tourists, and boat operators have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea; inter-island ferry services may face suspension. (PC: The Hindu)

Delhi’s air quality dropped sharply on Thursday, with the AQI reaching 400, close to the ‘severe’ mark. A thick toxic haze covered the city as low wind speeds and falling temperatures trapped pollutants. Wazirpur recorded the worst AQI at 477, while many other areas, including Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh and Jahangirpuri, also showed ‘severe’ levels. Several parts of the NCR, such as Ghaziabad and Noida, reported similar conditions. Experts warn the air may worsen in the coming days. The Supreme Court noted the crisis, saying outdoor sports now expose children to dangerous pollution levels. (PC: India Today)

The UK is facing a major cold snap this week. New weather maps show snow is forecast as far south as Devon and Cornwall. Scotland will see a deep freeze with temperatures dropping to -9°C . Wintry conditions will hit the country between Wednesday and Friday. Snow and ice warnings are also in place for northern England and Scotland. The cold air brings a risk of travel problems and icy roads. People should prepare for the first serious winter weather of the season. (PC: Express)