Dense fog engulfed Delhi and its surrounding areas, including Ghaziabad and Noida, on Friday morning, reducing visibility to zero in some locations. This prompted the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to issue advisories warning passengers about disruptions to flight schedules.
Weather and Air Quality
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR continued to deteriorate, reaching a severe level of 409 at 6:05 AM, as per the Sameer app. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a temperature of 9.6°C at 5:30 AM, with predictions of a minimum of 6°C and a maximum of 20°C for the day. Very dense fog is expected to persist, impacting transportation and daily activities.
Flight and Train Disruptions
Delhi’s IGI Airport issued advisories early in the morning, urging passengers to stay in touch with airlines for updated flight information. While CAT III-compliant flights were operational, over 100 departures were delayed due to poor visibility. IndiGo also advised passengers via social media to check flight statuses before traveling to the airport.
Extended Fog and AQI Woes
This is not the first instance of dense fog affecting the region. Between January 2 and 3, Delhi-NCR experienced a nine-hour stretch of zero visibility, the longest this season, as confirmed by the weather department. Alongside the fog, calm winds and unfavorable meteorological conditions have led to a sharp increase in pollution levels, with the 24-hour average AQI rising from 297 on Wednesday to 357 on Thursday.
GRAP Stage 3 Reinstated
In response to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reimposed Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This includes a ban on non-essential construction activities. Although Delhi recorded a 12% reduction in PM10 levels compared to 2017, the city remains far from meeting its initial clean air targets.
The dense fog and poor air quality highlight the pressing need for sustained efforts to combat pollution and mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions on transportation and public health.
