Delhi was enveloped in dense fog on Friday, with visibility dropping to zero in some areas, severely disrupting flights at the city’s main airport. India’s weather office issued an orange alert, warning of dense to very dense fog across Delhi and neighbouring regions, likely to impact airports, highways, and railways.
Airport authorities confirmed delays caused by poor visibility, cautioning that flights without CAT III navigation systems—required for operations in low visibility—might face cancellations. “Dense fog across the northern belt is impacting flights taking off and landing in Delhi, and some flights may need to be cancelled as the day progresses,” IndiGo, India’s largest airline, announced on social media.
The heavy fog compounded Delhi’s persistent air quality crisis. The city ranked as the second most polluted capital globally on Friday, according to live rankings by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir.
At 9:05 am local time, the Central Pollution Control Board rated Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) as “severe,” with a score of 408. An AQI below 50 is considered “good,” underscoring the hazardous conditions residents face.
Delhi has been battling smog and dangerously poor air quality throughout the winter, a season when stagnant weather conditions trap pollutants from vehicles, industries, and crop burning in neighbouring states. The combination of dense fog and smog creates a double burden for transportation and public health, with authorities urging caution during travel.
As Delhi grapples with these environmental challenges, the need for systemic solutions to address air pollution and minimise disruptions caused by extreme weather remains a pressing concern.
Melissa Enoch
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