On Monday morning, a thick layer of smog persisted over Delhi and surrounding areas, keeping the air quality firmly in the 'severe' category. This hazardous pollution sharply reduced visibility and caused disruptions to flight operations.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 456 at 6 am. This followed a reading of 461 on Sunday, marking the second-worst air quality day in December on record.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. Videos captured a dense blanket of toxic haze around Delhi's Akshardham area, where the AQI reached 493.
Additional footage highlighted severely limited visibility across several locations, including the Barapulla flyover—with an AQI of 433—and Barakhamba Road, where the AQI stood at 474.
The Delhi Airport issued an advisory for commuters.
"Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused," it said in a post on X.
IndiGo also issued an advisory, alerting passengers to flight delays.
Also Read: Delhi chokes as AQI nears ‘severe’, smog blankets city
"Low visibility and fog over #Delhi will impact flight schedules. We're keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support," it said.
In a separate post, the airline also advised passengers to allocate extra time when planning their trips to the airport, as road traffic could be delayed due to the dense toxic haze. "Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated. As conditions improve, we will continue departures with safety at the forefront," it added.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR air improves, but smog keeps AQI 'poor'
On Saturday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated the most stringent measures (Stage IV) under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), its graded air pollution control framework. This included imposing a complete ban on all construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR, triggered by a sharp surge in pollution levels amid adverse weather conditions.
Furthermore, the Delhi government instructed that 50 per cent of employees in government and private offices should work from home. All schools up to Class 11 (with the exception of Class 10) were directed to shift to hybrid mode, conducting classes both in physical and online formats.
Also Read: GRAP-4 curbs hit Delhi-NCR as AQI turns severe plus
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