(Image source from: PTI)
A thick layer of fog covered Delhi and the surrounding areas on Monday morning, causing the air quality to be classified as 'severe', which lowered visibility and affected flights and train services. At 6 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city reached 456, as shown on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website, making it the second worst AQI of the season. The day before, it was at 461, marking the second poorest air quality recorded. An AQI of zero to 50 is seen as 'good', 51 to 100 is 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 is 'moderate', 201 to 300 is 'poor', 301 to 400 is 'very poor', and 401 to 500 is 'severe'. Videos caught the toxic smog in Delhi's Akshardham, with an AQI reading of 493. Other clips showed bad visibility in several locations, like the Barapulla flyover, which had an AQI of 433, and Barakhamba Road, where it was at 474.
Visibility in Delhi was significantly reduced by the heavy smog, resulting in at least 100 canceled flights and more than 300 delays at the airport, according to the flight tracking site FlightRadar24. The Delhi Airport issued a notice for travelers. "Because of the thick fog, flight operations might be affected. We are collaborating with all parties to lessen any inconvenience for passengers. For the latest flight information, travelers should reach out to their airlines. We truly apologize for any trouble this may cause," it mentioned in a post on X. IndiGo also released a notice to inform travelers about flight cancellations and delays. "This morning, fog in Delhi has greatly cut down visibility, affecting flight operations. To prioritize safety, some flights may be canceled throughout the day to minimize long waits at the airport. We know this can be troublesome, especially during important travel plans. Please know that our teams at the airports are working hard to keep things running smoothly and will inform you as the situation changes," it stated.
In another message, the airline advised travelers to plan for extra time when heading to the airport, as road traffic might be slower due to the thick smog. Air India also stated, "Poor visibility from the thick fog is impacting flights in Delhi and parts of Northern India." More than 90 trains coming in and leaving Delhi were delayed by six to seven hours due to the low visibility. On Saturday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented the strictest regulations under its pollution control plan, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which included stopping all construction and demolition work in Delhi-NCR as pollution levels rose sharply due to bad weather conditions. Additionally, the Delhi government ordered that 50 percent of workers in government and private offices work from home, while all schools up to Class 11 (excluding Class 10) were instructed to hold classes in a hybrid format—both in-person and online.
