Visibility plunges across national capital amid worsening air quality crisis
Travelers across North India are facing a difficult Tuesday as the national capital remains engulfed in a thick white blanket. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has escalated its warning for Delhi dense fog from an orange alert to a red alert. This highest level of warning will remain in effect until Tuesday afternoon, as visibility levels continue to plummet.
Travel Chaos at IGI Airport
The impact on aviation has been significant. Early morning visibility at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and the Safdarjung observatory dropped to just 50 meters. By 9:00 AM, conditions improved only slightly to 100 meters. According to flight tracking data, at least 128 flights were cancelled, while nearly 200 others faced delays. Eight flights had to be diverted to other cities. Major airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have urged passengers to check their flight status frequently before heading to the airport. Travelers from regions like Odisha, who frequently fly into the capital for business or government work, should prepare for potential disruptions.
Worsening Air Quality
Compounding the weather issues is a sharp decline in air quality. The 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi has officially entered the ‘severe’ category, hitting a mark of 401. Data from the CPCB indicates that areas like Wazirpur are suffering the most, with an AQI reaching 462. Experts point to transport emissions as the primary culprit, accounting for over 15% of the local pollution load, followed by industrial activity.
New Year Outlook
The weather office warns that these conditions are not a one-day event. Satellite imagery shows this massive fog system stretching across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and even parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh. For those planning to celebrate the New Year in the capital, the forecast remains grim. Air quality is expected to hover in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ range through January 1st. Authorities are advising residents and commuters to limit outdoor exposure and exercise extreme caution on the roads.
