Delhi-NCR Grapples with Toxic Smog and Dense Fog, Flights Delayed and Cancelled
Dense smog cripples visibility and air travel.
Dense fog descended upon Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region on Tuesday morning, drastically reducing visibility to near zero in several areas including Ghaziabad and Noida, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and travelers alike. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, runway visibility fell to a mere 50 metres by 8:00 am as reported by the India Meteorological Department, severely hampering flight schedules and resulting in delays for over 200 departures and arrivals, alongside at least 10 outright cancellations.
The city's air quality plunged deeper into the severe category, registering an Air Quality Index of 414 early in the day according to Central Pollution Control Board monitoring. This toxic combination of persistent smog and light foggy layers compounded visibility issues during peak morning hours, posing significant health risks and operational challenges across the metropolitan area.
Projections from the Air Quality Early Warning System indicate no immediate respite, with pollution levels expected to linger in the very poor to severe ranges throughout the Christmas period and beyond, particularly from December 25 onward. Such sustained hazardous conditions underscore ongoing environmental concerns exacerbated by seasonal meteorological factors and regional emissions.
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The India Meteorological Department forecasts continued fog formation during morning hours over the coming days, with shallow fog anticipated on December 24 and 25, followed by moderate fog thereafter. Skies are likely to remain partly cloudy initially, clearing briefly before reverting to partly cloudy patterns, while dense fog may affect isolated pockets in adjoining states including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Air travel disruptions persist amid these weather patterns, building on widespread delays experienced earlier in the week. Authorities attribute ongoing impacts to a western disturbance influencing northern India, though gradual improvement is expected as wind speeds increase from Wednesday, potentially alleviating fog intensity and aiding pollutant dispersion.
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